Heat Transfer: Convection Currents & the Mantle

Front

What is heat transfer?

Back

The movement of thermal energy from one object or substance to another.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What are the three main methods of thermal energy transfer?

Back

Convection, conduction, and radiation.

Front

How do molecules in cold objects behave?

Back

They move slowly.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is conduction?

Back

The transfer of heat through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is convection?

Back

The transfer of heat through fluids (liquids or gases) due to the movement of the fluid itself.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is radiation?

Back

The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, which can occur in a vacuum.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

What happens to the density of a substance when it is heated?

Back

It generally decreases, causing it to rise in a fluid.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is a convection current?

Back

A circular movement of fluid caused by the rising of warmer, less dense fluid and the sinking of cooler, denser fluid.

Front

What is the role of the mantle in heat transfer?

Back

The mantle transfers heat from the Earth's core to the surface through convection currents.

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and density in fluids?

Back

As temperature increases, density typically decreases.