What is the movement of thermal energy in fluids primarily caused by temperature differences known as?

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The movement of thermal energy in fluids primarily caused by temperature differences is known as convection. This process occurs when warmer fluid becomes less dense and rises, while cooler fluid, being denser, sinks. This cycle creates a convection current, allowing heat to transfer throughout the fluid.

Convection is fundamental in various natural and artificial systems, including weather patterns, ocean currents, and heating systems. For instance, in a pot of water on the stove, as the water at the bottom heats up, it rises to the surface, and cooler water moves down to replace it, illustrating convection in action.

Other terms like conduction refer to heat transfer through direct contact between materials, which primarily occurs in solids rather than fluids. Convergence pertains to the coming together of forces or objects, often discussed in the context of atmospheric patterns or geological formations, and attenuation typically refers to the reduction in strength of a signal, wave, or signal power over distance. Thus, convection is distinctly characterized by its relationship with fluid movement and temperature gradients.

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