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 and carries with it the heat energy. During convection, the heat is transferred due to the bulk movement of the fluid itself, which means that the warmer portions of the fluid rise while the cooler portions sink, creating a continuous flow that transfers heat throughout the medium.

Convection is essential in many natural and mechanical systems, such as atmospheric circulations, ocean currents, and heating and cooling systems in buildings. The concept differs significantly from conduction and radiation; conduction involves heat transfer through direct contact between materials without the movement of the material itself, and radiation transfers heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, requiring no medium at all. Insulation refers to materials that resist heat flow, preventing convection and conduction. Thus, convection is the correct term for heat transfer occurring in a flowing medium.