Heat is transferred differently for each type of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation.
1. Conduction:
Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between two objects or substances. In the case of the electric burner of a stove and the bottom of a pan, heat is transferred through conduction. The electric burner heats up and directly transfers its heat energy to the bottom of the pan, which then spreads throughout the pan by conduction. This is why the bottom of the pan becomes hot when placed on a heated stove burner.
2. Convection:
Convection is the heat transfer by the macroscopic movement of a fluid. It occurs when a fluid, such as air or water, is heated and then moves, carrying the heat energy with it. This type of heat transfer is seen in forced-air furnaces and weather systems. In a forced-air furnace, air is heated by a heat source and then blown through ducts to different areas of a building. This heated air transfers its heat energy to the surrounding objects or spaces through convection. In weather systems, convection occurs when warm air rises, cools, and then descends, creating air currents and transferring heat.
3. Radiation:
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves, without the need for a medium. It occurs when heat waves or energy are emitted and travel through space or air. An example of radiation is the heat transfer from the Sun to the Earth. The Sun's rays, which are electromagnetic waves, travel through the vacuum of space and reach the Earth's surface, transferring heat energy. All objects, whether hot or cold, continuously emit radiation. The amount of energy carried by the radiation increases with shorter wavelengths.
In summary, heat is transferred differently for each type of heat transfer. Conduction occurs through direct contact between objects, convection occurs through the movement of fluids, and radiation occurs through the emission and transmission of electromagnetic waves.
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