On a summer day, Thomas is standing in his driveway waiting for his mother. Energy from the Sun is making
Thomas feel hot. This energy is being transmitted by three different methods. Which of the following is an
example of convection? (1 point)
heat being transferred from air particles to the asphalt
heat moving through Thomas’s clothes to warm his skin
warm air rising from just above the asphalt to reach the level of Thomas’s face
energy streaming through space toward Thomas
’s eyes
Warm air rising from just above the asphalt to reach the level of Thomas’s face.
To determine which of the options is an example of convection, we need to understand what convection is. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, such as liquids or gases.
Let's evaluate each option to see which one fits the definition of convection:
1. Heat being transferred from air particles to the asphalt: This is an example of conduction, as heat is transferred through direct contact between the air particles and the asphalt.
2. Heat moving through Thomas’s clothes to warm his skin: This is an example of conduction, similar to the previous option. Heat is transferred through direct contact between Thomas's clothes and his skin.
3. Warm air rising from just above the asphalt to reach the level of Thomas’s face: This is an example of convection. As the warm air rises, it carries heat away from the asphalt and towards Thomas's face. This movement of air is the transfer of heat through the fluid (air) and is characteristic of convection.
4. Energy streaming through space toward Thomas: This is an example of radiation. Energy from the sun travels through space in the form of electromagnetic radiation, such as light and heat. Unlike convection, which requires a physical medium for heat transfer, radiation does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.
Based on the explanations above, option 3 - warm air rising from just above the asphalt to reach the level of Thomas’s face - is an example of convection.