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What are Convection Currents?

Answer – Convection currents are movements in fluid caused by differences in density and temperature.

Explanation:

Convection is a method of heat transfer commonly observed in fluids. 

The entire mass of fluid is not heated evenly at once. Rather, when heat is applied to one area of the fluid, the matter immediately surrounding it gets heated, rising in temperature and dipping in density. This difference in temperature and density sets up currents where the heated fluid rises away and gets replaced by the colder and denser fluid. These currents are called convection currents.

Convection currents are an important phenomenon in the natural environment. They are present in the oceans and the atmosphere. Air and water heated in the warmer regions become less dense and move toward colder areas, making way for colder fluid, which in turn gets heated and then replaced. This cycle allows for effective heat dissipation around the earth.


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