How does the rate of heat transfer differ between a solid (through conduction) and a liquid (through convection)?
It's somewhat difficult to answer this question simply. First it is important to know that convection is really just a version of conduction. Heat has to transfer through molecules, or groups of atoms, and thats exactly what is happening in both forms of heat transfer. You're professor might not teach you this outright but it is in fact the truth (ask him after class and he'll tell you the same). But to answer your question, you have to look at the atomic structure of liquids and solids. The atomic structure of solids are more dense than liquids so the atoms are more in contact with each other, therefore heat can transfer faster than liquids in that aspect. However, if liquids are motion they transfer heat at a faster rate. By using some sort of force to move the liquid, the atoms can move the heat at a faster rate. Think of a heat exchanger; they pass a fluid (a liquid or gas) through the interior of the system to transfer the heat faster. To do so they speed up the fluid at a fast rate, while also creating a phenomena called turbulence in the fluid, to have the most efficient heat transfer. So overall, if a liquid and solid are motionless then a solid has a faster heat transfer rate. If there is motion in fluid then it has a faster heat transfer rate. Hope this helps!
