How is a convection current set up? Convection currents are the result of differential heating. Lighter (less dense), warm material rises while heavier (more dense) cool material sinks. It is this movement that creates circulation patterns known as convection currents in the atmosphere, in water, and in the mantle of Earth.
What is the motion of convection currents? Convection currents drive the movement of Earth’s rigid tectonic plates in the planet’s fluid molten mantle. In places where convection currents rise up towards the crust’s surface, tectonic plates move away from each other in a process known as seafloor spreading (Fig.
What causes convection currents to be in motion? Convection currents form because a heated fluid expands, becoming less dense. The less-dense heated fluid rises away from the heat source. As it rises, it pulls cooler fluid down to replace it. This fluid in turn is heated, rises and pulls down more cool fluid.
How can convection current be set in the water? Heat travels through the metal of the pan by conduction to warm the lower layers of water. The water is then heated by convection as the less dense warmer water rises through the cooler water to create a convection current! Remember – heat is only transferred is there is a temperature difference.
