Convection - What it is and how it works

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Convection

What it is and how it works

Convection of heat occurs when the atoms in a liquid or a gas move away from there neighbouring atoms. This causes the local area expand and consequently become less dense than the surrounding fluid.

Convection works by something heating up and becoming less dense than the surroundings. The less dense object will rise due to buoyant forces. When the less dense object cools down it will become denser and return to its original position.

The two types of convection

Convection comes in two types natural and forced. Heated air rising is an example of natural convection. Forced convection is when a pump or a mechanism moves the heated fluid. Some examples of forced convection are some types of ovens, refrigerators and air conditioners.

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Lava Lamp

A lava lamp is an example of convection the heater in the base of the lamp heat up the fake lava. Due to the rapidly increased temp the lava expands making it less dense than the surrounding liquid. The less dense lava then floats to the top. When it is at the top it starts to get smaller and less dense than the surrounding liquid. This means it then floats down to the bottom again.

Radiator

In most houses we have a radiator. The heat given of by them is mainly produced ...

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