Convection Currents

Front

What are convection currents?

Back

Convection currents are the movement of fluid caused by the uneven distribution of heat, where warmer, less dense fluid rises and cooler, denser fluid sinks.

Front

What type of energy transfers in convection currents?

Back

Thermal/heat energy transfers between a fluid.

Front

What is a land breeze?

Back

A land breeze is a local wind that blows from the land to the sea, typically occurring at night when the land cools faster than the water.

Front

What is a sea breeze?

Back

A sea breeze is a local wind that blows from the sea to the land, usually occurring during the day when the land heats up faster than the water.

Front

How does heat flow in convection currents in the ocean and atmosphere?

Back

Cool fluid flows down while warm fluid flows up.

Front

In which states of matter do convection currents occur?

Back

Convection currents occur in fluids (liquids and gases).

Front

What drives convection currents on Earth?

Back

The Sun drives convection currents and affects climate zones on Earth.

Front

What is the role of the Sun in convection currents?

Back

The Sun provides the heat that causes the movement of air and water, creating convection currents.

Front

What happens to warm air in convection currents?

Back

Warm air becomes less dense and rises.

Front

What happens to cool air in convection currents?

Back

Cool air becomes denser and sinks.