Convection Flashcards
What is convection?
Convection is the circulation of a fluid (liquid or gas) caused by heating it. By heating a liquid or gas it makes it less dense so it rises and causes circulation.
Where does convection occur?
Convection occur in any type of fluid. Fluids are liquid or gases but NOT solids.
How are convection currents set up?
When a fluid is heated it expands. The fluid becomes less dense and rises. The warm fluid is replaced by cooler, denser fluid. The resulting convection current transfers energy throughout the liquid.
Explain convection currents.
Convection currents can be on a very small scale, such as heating water in a beaker, or on a very large scale such as heating the air above land and sea. Convection currents are responsible for offshore and onshore breezes.
Why doesn’t convection occur in solids?
Convection does not occur in solids because the particles are held in fixed positions and not able to flow
