Convection - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

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Convection is a way in which heat travels. It occurs when heat is transferred by the movement of liquids or gases. The other methods of heat transfer are conduction and radiation.

Natural convection occurs when fluids are heated. When the fluid molecules are heated, the fluid becomes larger and lighter. The heated molecules take up more space and rise to the top, while the cooler molecules sink to the bottom. These cooler molecules then become heated. The process is repeated. This cycle is called the convection current.

Forced convection is when fluids or gases are moved by outside forces, not by a change in temperature. Such methods include the movement of air by a fan or the movement of water by a pump.

Other convection currents can occur in the atmosphere, the layer of gas that surrounds Earth. These convection currents move vertically (up and down) and cause winds and thunderstorms.

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Convection currents cause the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates.

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