name two ways that air gets
heated
fire and sun
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There are two main ways that air gets heated: by conduction and by radiation.
1. Conduction: Conduction is the process of heat transfer through direct contact. When air comes into contact with a heated surface, such as a hot stove or a warm brick, the molecules of air near the surface get energized and start moving faster. As these fast-moving air molecules come into contact with adjacent molecules, they transfer this energy and heat is conducted throughout the air.
To visualize this process, you can conduct a simple experiment. Take a metal spoon and heat it over a flame. Once the spoon gets hot, bring it near your face and feel the warm air currents created around the spoon. These air currents are the result of conduction, as the heat from the spoon transfers to the nearby air molecules, leading to their increased kinetic energy and temperature.
2. Radiation: Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. Unlike conduction, radiation doesn't require physical contact between the heat source and the air. Instead, heat is transferred through the emission of infrared radiation.
An example of radiant heating is the warmth you feel from the sun. The Sun emits radiant energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, including infrared radiation. When these waves reach the Earth's atmosphere, they heat the air by transferring energy to the air molecules. This is why you can feel warm even on a cold day when the Sun is shining.
To understand how radiation works, you can also try a simple experiment. Take a metal object like a spoon and hold it over a heat source, such as a candle flame. You will notice that even without touching the spoon, it starts getting hot. This is due to the infrared radiation emitted by the flame, which is absorbed by the spoon and causes it to heat up.