convection current - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about convection current Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,517,379,220 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

convection current

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.

convection current

Current caused by the expansion of a liquid, solid, or gas as its temperature rises. The expanded material, being less dense, rises, while colder, denser material sinks. Material of neutral buoyancy moves laterally. Convection currents arise in the atmosphere above warm land masses or seas, giving rise to sea breezes and land breezes, respectively. In some heating systems, convection currents are used to carry hot water upwards in pipes.

Convection currents in the hot, solid rock of the Earth's mantle help to drive the movement of the rigid plates making up the Earth's surface (see plate tectonics).



How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
This primary structure carries purlins and rafters in the normal way, with the rafters strutted at the same angle as the struts on the tied portals, creating in effect an inverted ridge that acts as a continuous lantern because, above it, the real ridge is defined by a motorized greenhouse glazing system that can be thrown open on hot days to encourage cooling convection currents.
In the wilderness: in its isolated clearing this skilfully crafted ... by The Architectural Review
Researchers who study the chemistry of lavas, however, argue that the mantle resembles a double boiler, with separate upper and lower layers that each have their own systems of convection currents.
A Stirring Tale from inside Earth by Monastersky, R. / Science News
But on top of this essentially humdrum parti are swooping glass roofs that can both capture solar energy and use it to generate convection currents to ventilate the spaces.
Curving canopy: A huge glass roof over conventional offices is both ... by The Architectural Review
More results
 
Hutchinson browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.