Heat transfer through a flowing medium is referred to as what?

Heat transfer through a flowing medium is referred to as convection. This process occurs when a fluid (which can be a liquid or a gas) moves, carrying heat with it. In convection, heat is transferred from one place to another through the bulk movement of the fluid itself. For example, when water is heated in a pot, the warmer, less dense water rises while the cooler, denser water sinks, leading to a continuous circulation that transfers heat throughout the water body.

Convection is distinct from conduction, which is the transfer of heat through a solid medium without any movement of the material itself, and radiation, which involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium. Insulation does not refer to a method of heat transfer but rather relates to materials and methods used to reduce the rate of heat transfer. Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping the principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer mechanisms.