Which process involves the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids?

The process that involves the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids is convection. This occurs when warmer, less dense fluid rises while cooler, denser fluid sinks, creating a circulation pattern. The movement of the fluid plays a crucial role in distributing thermal energy throughout the substance. For example, when heating water on a stove, the heated water at the bottom rises, while cooler water descends to take its place, resulting in a continuous flow and efficient heat distribution.

Conduction refers to the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials without the movement of the materials themselves. Radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight traveling through space. Insulation, on the other hand, refers to materials or methods used to reduce heat transfer, rather than a process of heat transfer itself.