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How does a convection current form in the air?
A simple example of convection currents is warm air rising toward the ceiling or attic of a house. Warm air is less dense than cool air, so it rises. Wind is an example of a convection current. Sunlight or reflected light radiates heat, setting up a temperature difference that causes the air to move.
What happens to air in convection?
Convection happens because warm air is less dense than the cold air around it, so it is lighter and rises or goes up in the atmosphere. There is a constant balancing act going on all the time in our atmosphere as moist, warm air goes upward and cooler, denser air moves down.
What is a convection current example?
Convection currents are present in the air– A good example of convection current is the warm air that rises towards the ceiling in your house. The process happens as the warm air is said to be less dense than that of the colder air. Another good example of convection current is wind.
How does a convection current work?
Convection currents form because a heated fluid expands, becoming less dense. As it rises, it pulls cooler fluid down to replace it. This fluid in turn is heated, rises and pulls down more cool fluid. This cycle establishes a circular current that stops only when heat is evenly distributed throughout the fluid.
What is convection current theory?
Convection currents, that occur within the molten rock in the mantle, act like a conveyor belt for the plates. Tectonic plates move in different directions. The friction between the convection current and the crust causes the tectonic plate to move. The liquid rock then sinks back towards the core as it cools.
Is an air conditioner an example of convection?
forced convection – When a fan, pump or suction device is used to facilitate convection, the result is forced convection. Everyday examples of this can be seen with air conditioning, central heating, a car radiator using fluid, or a convection oven.
What is the purpose of a convection current?
Convection currents transfer heat from one place to another by mass motion of a fluid such as water, air or molten rock. The heat transfer function of convection currents drives the earth’s ocean currents, atmospheric weather and geology.
What is a convection current and how does it work?
Convection currents form because a heated fluid expands, becoming less dense. The less-dense heated fluid rises away from the heat source. As it rises, it pulls cooler fluid down to replace it. This cycle establishes a circular current that stops only when heat is evenly distributed throughout the fluid.