Convection currents are the flow patterns in a fluid, driven by the heat-induced variation in density, causing warmer, less dense material to rise and cooler, denser material to sink. These currents are fundamental in transferring heat within fluids and play a crucial role in atmospheric dynamics, ocean circulation, and mantle convection in geophysics.

Concept Types

Key Equations & Parameters

Applications

Visualization & Experiment Ideas

Convection currents are fluid flows driven by temperature-induced density differences. Learners will understand the mechanics behind buoyant motion in air, water, and Earth's mantle and identify real-world examples.

Convection — Wikipedia

Khan Academy — Heat Transfer (includes convection topics)

NASA Earth Observatory — Mantle Convection

NOAA Education — Ocean Currents and Circulation

MIT OpenCourseWare — Introduction to Fluid Dynamics & Heat Transfer

Convection Currents

Your Courses

My Quests

CUSTOMIZE YOUR LEARNING

My Quests

CUSTOMIZE YOUR LEARNING