Convection Currents

Front

What is density?

Back

Density is how tightly or loosely packed the molecules of a substance are.

Front

What process allows a hot air balloon to rise?

Back

Convection allows a hot air balloon to rise.

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy caused by the rising of hotter, less dense fluids and the sinking of cooler, more dense fluids.

Front

Give an example of convection in everyday life.

Back

Soup molecules moving and heating up on the stove is an example of convection.

Front

What happens to hotter, less dense magma near the Earth's core?

Back

Hotter, less dense magma near the core rises.

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials.

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves.

Front

How does convection occur in the atmosphere?

Back

Warm air rises, cools down, and then sinks, creating convection currents in the atmosphere.

Front

What role does convection play in ocean currents?

Back

Convection helps drive ocean currents by moving warm water to the surface and cooler water to the depths.

Front

What is the relationship between density and buoyancy?

Back

An object will float if it is less dense than the fluid it is in, demonstrating buoyancy.