Volcanoes release large quantities of hot smoke into the sky. Which thermal energy transfer process is responsible for sending the hot smoke up into the sky?

Question

A. radiation because it causes thermal energy to transfer through direct contact.
B. convection because it causes the warmer air to rise up and the cooler more dense air to sink to the bottom.
C. conduction because it causes the heat to transfer through the electromagnetic waves into the sky.
D. conduction because it causes warmer air to rise up and the cooler more dense air to sink to the ground.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

B. convection because it causes the warmer air to rise up and the cooler more dense air to sink to the bottom.

Convection is the process of heat transfer that occurs in fluids (liquids and gases) where warmer, less dense portions rise, and cooler, denser portions sink, creating a circulation pattern. In the case of a volcano, the hot smoke and gases are less dense than the surrounding cooler air, causing them to rise.