ConvectionA Process of the Water Cycle

What is CONVECTION?

Convection is the process by which heat is transferred

A warmed liquid or gas comes into contact with an unheated space

Heat transfer from liquid to surrounding air

We see examples of this every day:

Seeing your breath on a cold day:

Your breath leaves the warmth of your body and touches the cool air

Moisture in your breath quickly condenses as heat transfers to the air

Boiling Water:

Water at the bottom is hottest, and warmer

water is less dense

As the cooler water sinks to the bottom, the

warmer water rises

As the warm water rises, heat transfers to the

surrounding air, cooling the water down again and

pulling it to the bottom

This causes a cycle, and that’s why boiling water

bubblesSTEAM is the product of the warm water molecules touching the

cooler air and condensing quickly

A steaming mug of cocoa

The warm liquid reaches the cool air surrounding the cup

The heat from the liquid transfers to the air

Moisture in the cup condenses into steam

What does this mean for the water cycle?

Convection happens between the steps of evaporation and condensation

It looks like this: