Convection is a form of heat transfer due to the mass movement of the atmosphere. Similar to ocean currents, atmospheric currents in the form of wind transfer heat from southern areas toward the north and cold from the north toward the south. Convective currents also transfer heat from the ground up into the atmosphere. These currents, known as thermals, can be seen when cumulus clouds develop on a warm day. The other form of heat transfer, known as conduction, is far less important in our atmosphere.
Conduction is caused by molecular motion in a solid.
When you hold a metal rod in a fireplace and the handle gets hot, that's conduction. The rod's molecules in the fire first start moving faster. They then hit the molecules closer to your hand until they too start to move faster. Then your hand gets hot. TMJ4 is not responsible for the content of external sites links through our site.