When heat energy travels by convection, is energy tranferred from molecule to molecule?
Independently of the way of any heat transfer mechanism heat is always and only transfered by molecular collision. Convection means a hot bulk phase travels and the molecules inside collide and transfer heat within the bulk which therefore has a unique temperature. When it comes to heat exchange (i.e with a plate of a heat exchanger) then bulk molecules collide with the solid plate and transfer energy( heat).
under, in case you have an interest, are the three techniques of heat circulate and the strategies in touch. (remember, warmth can purely pass from a warm substance to a chilly substance). sure, it is transferred by potential of action of molecules interior Fluids. it is desperate up by potential of the warmth inflicting a decrease in density interior the region of the warmth source. because of the fact the molecules warmth up, they substitute into greater excited (advance in Kinetic power), and circulate around at a much better value inflicting expansion of the fluid. expansion motives a decrease in density and the hotter, greater excited molecules circulate upwards whilst the cooler, calmer molecules circulate in to interchange them. in this way, 'Convection Currents' (circulatory action) of transforming into and falling fluid, is desperate up which gradually will advance the temperature for the time of the fluid. (Conduction is the circulate of heat in solids by potential of a upward thrust interior the Kinetic power of the molecules inflicting collisions between them. The collisions substitute into greater violent and circulate alongside for the time of the forged like a domino result, gradually heating the full mass of the forged). (warmth circulate by potential of Radiation, is by potential of Direct warmth Rays, as from the sunlight or an open fire as an occasion. Radiated warmth desires no medium (debris), by which to holiday. it is going to, as from the sunlight, holiday via Vacuum).
