What is the name for the process that transports heat through movement in fluids?

Convection is the process responsible for transporting heat through the movement of fluids, such as liquids and gases. It occurs when warmer, less dense fluid rises while cooler, denser fluid sinks. This movement creates a continuous cycle that effectively transfers heat throughout the fluid.

For instance, when you heat a pot of water on a stove, the water at the bottom warms up, becomes less dense, and rises to the top, allowing cooler water to move down to the bottom to be heated. This process not only evenly distributes heat throughout the fluid but is also essential in various natural phenomena, like ocean currents and atmospheric weather patterns. Understanding convection is crucial in fields such as meteorology, engineering, and environmental science, as it plays a critical role in energy transfer and system dynamics.