THERMODYNAMICS
CONDUCTION, CONVECTION & RADIATION
Observing nature we can internalize technical concepts such as the forms of heat exchange; radiation, convection and conduction.
For example, if we jump in time and imagine ourselves soaking on the beach in summer, notice that the mornings are usually serene, without wind. This is due to the thermal equilibrium that exists between the temperature of the air mass over the sea and the temperature of the air mass over the land.
As the hours pass, the Sun heats the air masses. But the radiant energy or radiation from the Sun heats the land surface faster than that of water, and the balance between the two masses is upset.
In areas such as the Mediterranean, usually around the afternoon we find a mass of hot air over the land and a mass of cold air over the sea. The mass of hot air over the land, exactly as we see in hot air balloons, tends to rise and the space it releases is covered by the mass of cold air that was over the sea and will flow towards the land. This air circulation is the transmission of heat by convection.
The more the Sun heats up, the faster this thermal difference between the air mass over the land and over the sea is produced, and the winds that we perceive will be more abrupt. In addition, this rising air tends to form small cumulus clouds or, if the temperature difference is greater and the air rises higher, we even see cumulonimbus clouds.
Just as radiation does not require contact with the heat source, convection is based on the circulation of fluids such as air masses, conduction would be when two objects at different temperatures are in contact, for example, our bare feet walking at noon through the sand.
So, when you’re on the beach and at noon the sea wind starts to blow a bit, think of BOIXAC. Specialists in heat exchange for industry.