Question

What is convection current? Give few examples of convection current.

Accepted Answer

A convection current is a process that involves the movement of energy from one place to another. It is also called convection heat transfer.

Examples: 1). Boiling of Water– When boiling water on a stove or while making tea or while boiling an egg. The temperature of molecules within those liquids increases, and they slowly begin to move in a rapid rate. These molecules get charged up thus producing kinetic energy. These hot water molecules residing near the heat source tend to become less dense. They rise above cooler dense molecules. As these hotter molecules rise they tend to cool down and begin to sink replacing cooler molecules. These movements occurring within this boiling water what the convection currents.

2). Campfires– The hotness which we feel around a campfire is all that convection currents heating up your hand. The heat comes from various kinds of heat transfers such as radiation. But while placing your hand above a campfire, a lot of convection currents rises towards you.

3). Changes in the weather- The cool air and breeze occurring near to a beach are all the effects of convection currents. The weather changes on a daily basis are also affected by these currents.

4). Convection currents occurring in the ocean– The Oceanic currents are also the convection currents. These are caused due to the difference in the water density and the temperature occurring in different parts of the ocean.

What is convection current? Give few examples of convection current.

Important Questions on Heat in Everyday Life

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !