How Heat Moves

 

Heat is always moving. It flows from warmer areas to colder areas until an overall equal temperature is established. Heat moves from one place to another in three ways:

 

Conduction

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact. This is the simplest method of heat transfer.

Example:
The transfer of heat from the burner of a stove to the pan on the burner.

 

 

Convection

Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas). During convection the warm gas or liquid rises, while the cooler gas or liquid falls. This process creates a circular motion.

Example:
Convection helps to distribute the heat around a house that is heated by a furnace. The heated air leaving the furnace is carried upward into the house. After the heated air has cooled, it returns down to the furnace to be reheated.

This is how hot air balloons lift. As air is heated, it becomes less dense and rises into the balloon. Because air in the balloon is less dense than the surrounding air, it rises off the ground.

There are man-made examples of convections, like heaters and fireplaces.

 

 

Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through a vacuum. The heat moves through space carried by electromagnetic waves called infrared waves.

Example:
Heat from the sun is radiated through space.

Fire ............

You could see it because it produces light rays (radiation) that your eyes see. You feel warm too -- because the flame is giving out heat rays (radiation) that your skin can feel but your eyes can't see.

Heat Moves !