4 physical processes used by animals to exchange heat with the environment
1. Conduction: Animals can exchange heat with their surroundings through direct contact. For example, when an animal lies on a warm surface like a rock or sand, heat is transferred from the surface to the body through conduction. Similarly, animals can lose heat to a colder surface by conduction.
2. Convection: Convection refers to the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid (such as air or water). This involves the movement of heat away from an animal's body surface due to the movement of the fluid. Animals can use convection to cool down by, for instance, sitting in a breeze or going for a swim.
3. Radiation: Radiant heat refers to the transfer of heat energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. Animals can gain or lose heat through radiation by absorbing or emitting these waves. For example, on a sunny day, an animal can absorb radiant heat from the sun, leading to an increase in body temperature.
4. Evaporation: Evaporation is the process of a liquid (such as water) changing into a gas. When an animal sweats or pant to cool down, the moisture on its body surface evaporates, extracting heat from the body and cooling it down. This is an important process for animals in hot environments to prevent overheating.