Which statement best describes a characteristic of convection?

Convection is best described as a process that occurs in liquids and gases. This phenomenon involves the movement of fluid (which can include liquids and gases) caused by differences in temperature and density within the fluid. As a fluid heats up, it becomes less dense and rises, while cooler, denser fluid sinks. This cycle creates convection currents that effectively transfer heat from one part of the fluid to another.

In contrast, convection does not occur in solids because the particles in solids are tightly packed and do not move freely like those in liquids and gases. Additionally, while convection does involve energy transfer, it primarily transfers thermal energy rather than potential energy. Lastly, convection is fundamentally a method of heat transfer; therefore, the idea that convection does not transfer heat is incorrect.

Understanding that convection specifically applies to fluids is crucial as it differentiates this mode of heat transfer from conduction and radiation, which operate differently in terms of energy movement.