Convection (Noun)
Meaning 1
(meteorology) the vertical movement of heat or other properties by massive motion within the atmosphere.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
The transfer of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas) caused by molecular motion.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The movement of warm air rising and cool air sinking is an example of convection in the atmosphere.
- Convection is the primary mechanism by which the Earth's mantle loses heat to the surface.
- The boiling of water is caused by convection, as hot water rises and cooler water sinks.
- Heat transfer by convection is more efficient than conduction in fluids, as the movement of the fluid helps distribute the heat more rapidly.
- In a pot of simmering soup, convection currents are created as the warm liquid rises to the surface and cools, then sinks back down to be reheated.