Lesson 3.2 - Heat Transfer: Convection

You know that you can feel the hot air coming out when you open the oven door of the stove.    This form of heat transfer is known as convection.  You may have even heard of a convection oven. 

Read Convection on page 89 of your textbook.

Question 1. How is heat transferred by convection?

Question 2. Is physical contact between objects or substances required for heat to be transferred by convection?

Question 3. Is it possible for heat to be transferred by convection in a solid?

Check your answers with those that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. How is heat transferred by convection?

Heat is transferred by convection in the following manner.  The hot particles of a liquid or a gas are farther apart and less dense than colder particles.  The hot, less dense fluid rises and cold, more dense fluid sinks to take its place.  This continuous motion continues until the fluid is all at the same temperature. Heat can only be transferred by convection in liquids and gases.  Heat cannot be transferred by convection in a solid because the particles are not free to move.  

Question 2. Is physical contact between objects or substances required for heat to be transferred by convection?

No, physical contact is not required for heat to be transferred by convection.

Question 3. Is it possible for heat to be transferred by convection in a solid?

No, heat cannot be transferred by convection in a solid because the particles of a solid are not free to move.


Go to the next page to learn about the third form of heat transfer.