Question

How are conduction, convection, and radiation different?

Conduction transfers thermal energy by
.

Convection transfers thermal energy by
.

Radiation transfers thermal energy by
.

Answer 1

Conduction transfers thermal energy by direct contact between particles (vibrational and collisional energy transfer through a material).

Convection transfers thermal energy by bulk movement of a fluid (liquid or gas) that carries heat from one place to another.

Radiation transfers thermal energy by electromagnetic waves (e.g., infrared), which can travel through vacuum.