Question

In what type of heat transfer does wind play a role in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer 1

Conduction, radiation and convection all play a role in moving heat between Earth's surface and the atmosphere. Since air is a poor conductor, most energy transfer by conduction occurs right near Earth's surface.

Answer 2

Convection is the type of heat transfer in which wind plays a very important role in the Earth's atmosphere.

• There are three ways in which heat can get transferred- conduction, convection and radiation. Out of these, convection is when there is motion in a fluid that is the result of variations in temperature.
• A fluid can be a liquid or a gas- basically, any state of matter in which the molecules have greater intermolecular distance and lesser intermolecular forces of attraction than solids. This causes them to be able to move around rather freely.
• Convection currents are caused when one part of a fluid heats up more than the other. This causes the heated molecules to become less dense, move to the top of the fluid and carry the energy along with them. The denser, cooler part of the liquid rushes to take the place of the warmer fluid.
• The wind is a form of a convection current. It is caused because the air over the land during the day is warmer than the air above the sea, and vice versa during the night. So, warm air rises up and cool air rushes to take its place. This is how the wind blows.

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