What happens to warm fluid in a convection process?

In a convection process, warm fluid rises to the top due to its lower density compared to cooler fluid. When a fluid is heated, the molecules within it gain energy and begin to move more rapidly, which causes them to spread out. This increase in molecular spacing leads to a decrease in density. As a result, the warmer, less dense fluid becomes buoyant and rises through the cooler, denser fluid surrounding it.

This rising motion is a key aspect of convection currents, where warm fluid continues to rise until it cools down, at which point it becomes denser and eventually sinks. The cycle of rising and sinking establishes a continuous movement of fluid, facilitating the transfer of heat within the medium. The other options do not accurately describe the behavior of warm fluid during convection; warm fluid does not sink, remain stationary, or condense into solid under normal convection conditions.