What Does convection Mean
The etymology of convection refers us to the late Latin word convectio , which refers to the “act of transporting” . The term is used in the field of physics to refer to the mode of propagation of a quantity in a fluid due to differences in density .
In general, the idea of convention is linked to the propagation of heat in air or water. It is a transfer system that carries thermal energy from one area to another.
When meeting two bodies that are at different temperatures, a heat flow occurs . The body that registers a higher temperature, in this frame, transfers heat to the one that is at a lower temperature by convention. It is important to mention that the flow is due to the movement of the molecules .
Therefore, when there are two liquids; two gases ; or a liquid and a gas at different temperatures, the convention process involving heat transfer is generated. This can be seen in the operation of radiators , for example.
If a radiator is turned on, the natural convention causes a flow of heat to exist. As the air surrounding the radiator heats up, its density decreases and moves upward, as it now weighs less than ambient air. All you have to do is place a hand on the radiator to feel that rising heat.
In the field of meteorology , on the other hand, convection is called the movement of the air in a vertical direction . This phenomenon occurs naturally in the atmosphere by the sun's rays, which heat the earth's surface and then that heat is transmitted to the adjacent layer of air, causing its density to decrease and rise.