Convection is a way heat is transferred when something is heated, causing it to become less dense and rise. Examples include a pot of water, birds riding thermals, and convection ovens. Understanding convection can save lives in the event of a fire.
In daily activities, it is possible to observe a convection model or an example of convection. Convection is one of the main ways that heat is transferred from one object to another. It occurs when something, like water or air, is heated. One part becomes less dense, causing the heated part to rise.
The best convection model is a pot of water. As the pot of water heats up, the water expands and becomes less dense. As heated water is less dense, it rises to the top. This creates a current in the pot as the water boils. The current can be observed if noodles or another light object is placed in the pot. The object will circulate through the pot as the heat transfers.
A convection model need not involve water. Air and other mediums can also indicate convection. For example, take a look at the sky. There may be birds gliding on rising columns of warm air, called thermals. Birds may appear to circle and soar higher and higher in the sky. They are based on the convective movement of air as it warms up near the ground.
Another convection model is a modern oven. Many homeowners have opted for a convection oven. With a convection oven, the air inside the oven gets hot, similar to a regular oven. The difference is that the air inside the convection oven circulates. Because the air circulates, the item in the kiln cooks faster and more evenly than in a non-ventilated oven.
People may use the term “heat buildup” when discussing a variety of events; this term refers directly to convection. As warm air becomes less dense and expands relative to the surrounding cooler air, it tends to rise upwards. Another convection pattern can be examined by looking at a multi-story home with an open staircase or second-story loft that overlooks a room below. In those cases the warm air stays on the second floor during the winter months; however, to increase circulation, some homeowners will use a ceiling fan. Their goal is to bring warm air back to the first floor, so that they can warm up both upstairs and downstairs.
Each convection model is intended to help people visualize the concept of convection. In a more general sense, if the term convection, “heat rises” is kept in mind, people will remember to stay low, even when fleeing a home or business fire. Therefore, understanding convection can save lives.
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