What is the process called when heat transfers by vertical motion?

The process when heat transfers by vertical motion is known as convection. This phenomenon occurs when warmer, less dense fluids (like air or water) rise, while cooler, denser fluids sink, creating a circulation pattern. This movement facilitates the transfer of heat. For example, in the atmosphere, warm air rising can lead to weather phenomena like thunderstorms, as the upward motion carries heat away from the surface while drawing cooler air downward to replace it.

Conduction refers to heat transfer through direct contact between materials, where heat moves through solids without any fluid motion. Radiation involves the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight warming the Earth. Advection typically describes the horizontal movement of air or water, which can also involve heat transfer but does not specifically denote vertical motion. Convection, therefore, precisely captures the concept of heat transfer facilitated by vertical movement, distinguishing it from the other terms.