Difference Between Conduction Convection and Radiation

Q: Explain the types of heat transfer and also discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation

Conduction Convection Radiation In the process of conduction, heat gets transferred between substances with direct contact with solids In the process of conduction, heat gets transferred between substances like fluid In the process of radiation, heat gets transferred through the means of electromagnetic waves without any interaction between particles. This process occurs only in solid matter. This process occurs in the fluid. (includes both solids and liquids)) This process takes place in all matters like solid, liquid, gases which have a temperature above 0k.

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:00 PM IST

What is the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation - The matter is differentiated into three states known as solid, liquid, and gas. One matter can be converted into another matter. During this state change, heat transfer occurs between the system and the surroundings. Heat transfer is a physical act or the process of thermal energy between two different systems or two different objects of the same system by the method of heat dissipation.

This Story also Contains

Difference Between Conduction Convection and Radiation:
Methods Of Heat Transfer
Conduction
Convection
Radiation

Difference Between Conduction Convection and Radiation

Let us discuss heat transfer types namely radiation, convection, and conduction. we also discuss the difference between conduction and convection, (convection vs conduction), and the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation. here below students can find a comparison of conduction, convection, and radiation.

Difference Between Conduction Convection and Radiation:

Conduction	Convection	Radiation
In the process of conduction, heat gets transferred between substances with direct contact with solids	In the process of conduction, heat gets transferred between substances like fluid	In the process of radiation, heat gets transferred through the means of electromagnetic waves without any interaction between particles.
The process is carried out by the electrons	The process occurs mainly due to the movement of the molecules	The process is carried out in the form of the Em waves
The transfer of heat occurs due to temperature difference	The transfer of heat occurs due to the density difference between the fluids	The transfer of heat takes place in objects which have temperatures higher than 0K
In conduction, the transfer of heat is a slow process	In convection, the transfer of heat is faster than in conduction	In radiation, the transfer of heat is the fastest process compared with conduction and convection
The transfer of heat through some solid heated object	The transfer of heat through some intermediate objects.	The transfer of heat happens through the Em waves
The conduction process will not obey the laws of reflection and the laws of refraction.	The convection process will not obey the laws of reflection and the laws of refraction.	The conduction process will obey the laws of reflection and the laws of refraction.
The conduction process continues until both substances are maintained under an equal temperature	The convection process occurs only when the temperature difference occurs between the objects.	Radiation processes at any condition as the energy can be transferred through space.
This process occurs only in solid matter.	This process occurs in the fluid. (includes both solids and liquids))	This process takes place in all matters like solids, liquids, and gases which have a temperature above 0k.

Interested students can also check the following links. here they can find NCERT solutions for all class.

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics

This ebook serves as a valuable study guide for NEET exams, specifically designed to assist students in light of recent changes and the removal of certain topics from the NEET exam.

Download E-book

Methods Of Heat Transfer

Do you know how heat transfers from one object to another object? There are mainly three different modes of heat transfer which are listed below.

Conduction
Convection
Radiation

Conduction

The heat transfer in any solid body (without any radiation flow) occurs due to collision between the higher energy molecules with lower energy molecules is known as conduction. The collision occurs due to the free electrons in the solids. This process occurs along with the high vibration of solids. Heat cannot be transferred from a low-temperature object to a high-temperature object unless it is subjected to external forces. The objects or substance which allows the heat to pass through is known as conductors. Example: Metals are good conductors and heat conduction is easily found in metals. similar to flow electricity, ability of material to transfer heat is know as thermal conductivity.

The elastic bonding between the dielectric solids, the molecular movement occurs like waves. These waves are similar to echo waves. But compared to echo waves, they have very high frequencies and are also quantized like phonons. Phonons relay high energy from hotter sections to cooler sections. The conduction of heat takes the phonons as gas molecules that travel inside a solid which have material irregularities. The heat conduction of nonmetallic liquids is intermediate lies between solids and gases.

Also read :

Convection

The heat transfer that occurs in fluid due to the movement of the molecules in the fluid is known as convection. The process occurs both naturally and artificially. Gravity and buoyancy play an important role in this process. The hot object moves upward and the cold object sinks. for example example Air heating systems. this movement of fluid due to temperature difference knw as convection current. There are two types of convection namely Natural / free convection and Forced convection.

Natural / free convection

When the motion of the fluid occurs due to the presence of a hot object in it. The fluid shift occurs due to the influence of gravity, it is called natural convection. It is also known as free convection.

Forced convection

When the relative motion occurs between a hot object and the fluid, some external agent is required to maintain the convection, it is called forced convection.

Also, there are some important related topics. interested students can read to know more about the topics.

Radiation

Heat transfer is which the heat can be transferred in the form of electromagnetic waves. This process does not require any medium for energy transfer. There is no requirement for any direct contact or molecule movement for this process. It occurs without touching the object. Radiation depends on some kind of surface properties like color, the orientation of the surface, and so on. The energy carried out by the EM waves is known as radiant energy. This energy can travel through a vacuum from the source to its surroundings. Example: The heat from the sun that reaches earth takes the form of EM waves and this is one of the radiation waves.

conduction , convection and radiation are shown in same image

NCERT Physics Notes :

From this article, We saw the heat transfer in detail, and also saw the difference among conduction, convection, and radiation. Now, let us see some of the frequently asked questions from class 10, class 11, and class 12.

Also, check-

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is conduction, convection, and radiation?

Conduction, convection, and radiation are three modes of heat transfer. in conduction heat transfer through direct contact. in convection heat transfer take place in fluids like water. and radiation is a method in which heat transfer takes place through electromagnetic waves.

2. What are the 3 types of heat transfer?

following are three types of heat transfer.

radiation.
conduction.
convection.

3. Explain the types of heat transfer and also discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation

Conduction	Convection	Radiation
In the process of conduction, heat gets transferred between substances with direct contact with solids	In the process of conduction, heat gets transferred between substances like fluid	In the process of radiation, heat gets transferred through the means of electromagnetic waves without any interaction between particles.
This process occurs only in solid matter.	This process occurs in the fluid. (includes both solids and liquids))	This process takes place in all matters like solid, liquid, gases which have a temperature above 0k.

4. Distinguish between conduction and convection

Conduction:

The heat transfer in any solid body (without any radiation flow) occurs due to collision between the higher energy molecules with lower energy molecules is known as conduction. The collision occurs due to the free electrons in the solids. Example: Metals are good conductors and heat conduction is easily found in metals.

Convection:

The heat transfer that occurs in fluid due to the movement of the molecules in the fluid is known as convection. The hot object moves upward and the cold object sinks. Example: Air heating systems.

5. What do you mean by convection and conduction current and write down the difference between convection and conduction current?

The Convection current happens when the charged particles move as a response to forces that are given mechanically and it is not caused in response to the electric field. The Conduction current occurs when the charged particles move as a response to the electric field and it is not caused by any kind of mechanical forces or other forces.

6. Why is conduction generally faster in solids than in liquids or gases?

In solids, particles are closer together and more tightly bound. This allows vibrations (and thus heat) to be transmitted more quickly between particles compared to the more loosely arranged particles in liquids and gases.

7. Why does a metal spoon in hot soup feel hotter than the surrounding liquid?

Metal is a better conductor of heat than liquid. The spoon conducts heat more efficiently from the soup to your hand, making it feel hotter than the surrounding liquid, which transfers heat primarily through convection.

8. How do animals like penguins use countercurrent heat exchange?

In countercurrent heat exchange, warm blood flowing to the extremities passes close to cold blood returning from them. Heat is conducted from the warm to the cold blood, conserving body heat and protecting against frostbite.

9. Why does frost form on the outside of a cold drink glass on a humid day?

The cold glass cools the air around it below its dew point. Water vapor in the air condenses on the glass surface. If the glass is below freezing, this condensation forms frost through deposition.

10. How does a Leidenfrost effect demonstrate the insulating properties of vapor?

The Leidenfrost effect occurs when a liquid comes into contact with a surface significantly hotter than its boiling point. The liquid forms an insulating vapor layer, which prevents rapid boiling and allows droplets to skitter across the surface.

11. How does convection contribute to the formation of sea breezes?

During the day, land heats up faster than water. The warm air over land rises, creating a low-pressure area. Cooler air from over the sea moves in to replace it, creating a sea breeze. This circulation is driven by convection currents.

12. Why does blowing on hot food help cool it down?

Blowing on hot food increases the rate of convection. It replaces the layer of hot air near the food with cooler air, increasing the temperature gradient and thus the rate of heat transfer from the food to the air.

13. How does a convection oven differ from a traditional oven?

A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air, creating forced convection. This results in more even heating and faster cooking compared to a traditional oven, which relies primarily on natural convection and radiation.

14. How does a heat sink in a computer utilize conduction?

A heat sink is typically made of a highly conductive material like aluminum. It conducts heat away from the CPU or other components, then uses its large surface area to dissipate that heat to the surrounding air through convection.

15. Why are spacecraft heat shields designed to ablate?

Ablative heat shields are designed to slowly burn away during reentry. This process absorbs and dissipates the intense heat generated by friction with the atmosphere, protecting the spacecraft from excessive heating.

16. What is the fundamental difference between conduction, convection, and radiation?

Conduction involves heat transfer through direct contact between particles, convection occurs through the movement of fluids or gases, and radiation transfers heat through electromagnetic waves without requiring a medium.

17. Why does a car's radiator use a combination of conduction and convection?

The radiator conducts heat from the engine coolant to its metal fins. These fins have a large surface area, allowing for efficient convective heat transfer to the surrounding air, which is often forced by a fan to enhance cooling.

18. How does a heat pipe use phase changes to transfer heat efficiently?

A heat pipe contains a working fluid that evaporates at the hot end, absorbing heat. The vapor travels to the cool end where it condenses, releasing heat. The liquid then returns to the hot end through capillary action, creating a continuous cycle.

19. How does the greenhouse effect differ from how an actual greenhouse works?

While both trap heat, they work differently. A greenhouse primarily works by preventing convection of warm air away from the plants. The atmospheric greenhouse effect, however, works by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation, warming the planet.

20. Why do desert nights get so cold despite hot days?

Desert air is very dry, with few clouds or water vapor to trap heat. During the day, the ground absorbs solar radiation, but at night, this heat is quickly radiated back into space without being trapped by the atmosphere.

21. Can heat transfer occur in a vacuum through conduction or convection?

No, heat transfer in a vacuum can only occur through radiation. Conduction requires direct contact between particles, and convection requires a fluid or gas medium, neither of which are present in a vacuum.

22. How does the greenhouse effect relate to radiation?

The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap infrared radiation emitted by Earth's surface. This trapped radiation increases the planet's temperature, similar to how a greenhouse retains heat.

23. Why is it advisable to wear light-colored clothes in hot weather?

Light-colored clothes reflect more radiation from the sun, while dark colors absorb more. By wearing light colors, less heat is absorbed, helping to keep you cooler in hot weather.

24. How does radiation from the sun reach Earth without a medium in space?

Radiation is the only form of heat transfer that doesn't require a medium. The sun's energy travels as electromagnetic waves through the vacuum of space before reaching Earth's atmosphere.

25. Why do thermos flasks have a vacuum between their inner and outer walls?

The vacuum prevents heat transfer through conduction and convection. The silvered surfaces of the walls minimize radiation, making thermos flasks effective at maintaining the temperature of their contents.

26. How does the urban heat island effect relate to thermal properties of materials?

Urban areas often have more concrete and asphalt, which absorb and retain heat better than natural surfaces. This, combined with reduced vegetation and increased human activity, leads to higher temperatures in cities compared to surrounding rural areas.

27. How does the principle of convection apply to plate tectonics?

Convection currents in Earth's mantle drive plate tectonic movements. Hotter, less dense material rises while cooler, denser material sinks, creating a circular flow that moves the tectonic plates on the surface.

28. Why is it difficult to cook food evenly in a microwave oven?

Microwaves heat food through radiation, causing water molecules to vibrate. However, this heating is often uneven due to standing wave patterns in the oven and variations in food thickness and composition, leading to hot and cold spots.

29. Why does adding salt to water change its boiling point?

Adding salt to water increases its boiling point through a process called boiling point elevation. The salt ions interfere with the water molecules' ability to transition from liquid to gas, requiring more energy (and thus a higher temperature) to boil.

30. Why does a metal feel colder than wood at the same temperature?

Metals conduct heat better than wood. When you touch metal, it quickly conducts heat away from your hand, giving a sensation of cold. Wood, being a poor conductor, doesn't remove heat as quickly, feeling less cold even at the same temperature.

31. How do animals like elephants use their ears for thermoregulation?

Elephant ears have a large surface area with many blood vessels close to the skin. By flapping their ears, elephants increase convection, helping to cool the blood flowing through their ears and regulate their body temperature.

32. Why does water at the bottom of a deep lake stay cold even on hot days?

Water is most dense at about 4°C. In deep lakes, this dense, cold water sinks to the bottom. The temperature stratification that results limits convection, keeping the bottom water cold even when surface water warms up.

33. How does a Crookes radiometer demonstrate the effects of radiation?

A Crookes radiometer has vanes that are dark on one side and light on the other. When exposed to light, the dark side absorbs more radiation and heats up more. Gas molecules hitting this side gain more energy and push it more strongly, causing the vanes to spin.

34. Why does sweating cool you down?

Sweating cools through evaporative cooling. As sweat evaporates, it absorbs heat from your skin, lowering your body temperature. This process is more effective in dry conditions where evaporation occurs more readily.

35. How does the ozone layer protect Earth from harmful radiation?

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs much of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UV-B. This absorption protects life on Earth from harmful effects such as skin cancer and damage to plants.

36. Why does a vacuum-insulated bottle keep drinks hot or cold?

A vacuum between the inner and outer walls prevents heat transfer through conduction and convection. Reflective surfaces on the walls minimize radiation. This combination significantly reduces all forms of heat transfer, maintaining the temperature of the contents.

37. How does the color of a surface affect its ability to absorb or emit radiation?

Dark-colored surfaces generally absorb and emit radiation more effectively than light-colored surfaces. This is why dark objects heat up more quickly in sunlight and also cool down more quickly by radiating heat when the source of heat is removed.

38. Why does blowing on a candle flame extinguish it?

Blowing on a candle flame disrupts the convection currents that supply oxygen to the flame and carry away combustion products. It also cools the fuel below its ignition temperature. Both effects combine to extinguish the flame.

39. How do birds like vultures use thermal updrafts for soaring?

Vultures exploit thermal updrafts, which are columns of rising warm air created by uneven heating of the Earth's surface. By circling within these updrafts, vultures can gain altitude with minimal energy expenditure, allowing them to soar for long periods.

40. Why does a cloudy night often feel warmer than a clear night?

Clouds act as a blanket, absorbing infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and re-radiating some of it back down. This reduces the net radiation loss to space, keeping the surface warmer compared to a clear night when more heat escapes.

41. How does the principle of convection apply to weather patterns?

Convection drives many weather patterns. For example, thunderstorms form when warm, moist air near the ground rises (convects) into cooler air above. This process can lead to the formation of clouds, precipitation, and sometimes severe weather.

42. Why does a mirage appear on a hot road?

A mirage occurs when there's a temperature gradient in the air above a hot surface. Light rays are bent (refracted) as they pass through air layers of different densities, creating an illusion of a reflective surface or distant objects.

43. How does a refrigerator use the principles of heat transfer to cool its contents?

A refrigerator uses a compressor to circulate refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat from inside the fridge through evaporation (cooling the interior) and releases this heat to the outside air through condensation, effectively moving heat from inside to outside.

44. Why does outer space have an extremely low temperature despite being closer to the sun?

Space itself doesn't have a temperature

45. How do animals in cold climates use countercurrent heat exchange in their limbs?

In countercurrent heat exchange, warm arterial blood flowing to the extremities passes close to cold venous blood returning from them. Heat is conducted from the warm to the cold blood, conserving body heat in the core and reducing heat loss from the extremities.

46. Why does a pot of water boil faster with a lid on?

A lid traps steam, increasing the pressure inside the pot. This raised pressure increases the boiling point slightly, but more importantly, it reduces evaporative cooling and reflects radiant heat back into the water, making the overall process more efficient.

47. How does the absorption and emission of radiation by greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

Greenhouse gases like CO2 absorb infrared radiation emitted by Earth's surface and re-emit it in all directions. Some of this re-emitted radiation returns to Earth's surface, causing additional warming beyond what would occur without these gases.

48. Why does a fan make you feel cooler even though it doesn't lower the air temperature?

A fan increases the rate of convective heat transfer from your skin by moving air across it. This accelerates the evaporation of sweat and removes the warm air layer next to your skin, making you feel cooler even though the air temperature remains the same.

49. How does the specific heat capacity of water affect coastal climates?

Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it takes a lot of energy to change its temperature. This property moderates coastal climates, keeping them cooler in summer and warmer in winter compared to inland areas at the same latitude.

50. Why does a white car typically stay cooler than a black car on a sunny day?

White surfaces reflect more sunlight than black surfaces, which absorb most of the incident radiation. As a result, a white car absorbs less solar energy and heats up less than a black car under the same conditions.

51. How does the process of sublimation demonstrate heat transfer?

Sublimation is the direct transition of a substance from solid to gas without passing through the liquid phase. This process requires energy, which is absorbed from the surroundings, demonstrating heat transfer. Dry ice (solid CO2) sublimating at room temperature is a common example.

52. Why does a metal fire escape feel colder than the surrounding air on a winter day?

Metal is a good conductor of heat. When you touch the cold metal, it quickly conducts heat away from your hand, feeling colder than the air, which is a poor conductor. This is despite the metal and air being at the same temperature.

53. How does the atmosphere's composition affect the transmission of different types of radiation?

The atmosphere is largely transparent to visible light but absorbs much of the incoming ultraviolet radiation and some infrared radiation. This selective absorption is crucial for life on Earth, protecting us from harmful UV rays while contributing to the greenhouse effect.

54. Why does hot air rise?

When air is heated, it expands and becomes less dense than the surrounding cooler air. The buoyant force exerted by the denser cool air causes the less dense warm air to rise, creating convection currents.

55. How do thermal imaging cameras detect heat?

Thermal imaging cameras detect infrared radiation emitted by objects. All objects above absolute zero emit some infrared radiation, with warmer objects emitting more. The camera converts this radiation into a visible image, with different colors representing different temperatures.