A heater uses energy from a laptop computer to keep a mug of coffee hot. Energy is transferred to the coffee at the bottom of the mug. Explain how a convection current is set up in the coffee.

The molecules at the bottom of the mug gain energy and spread out as a result. This means that these molecules are less dense than the ones above them so they rise upwards. As they do so, they lose energy to their surroundings, become cooler and more dense so they fall back downwards through the coffee to repeat the cycle.

EH
Answered by Evan H. Physics tutor

4255 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

David left his basketball outside overnight. At 1am the volume of air within the ball was 1.2m^3 and the outdoor temperature was 5 degrees Celsius. At 3am the temperature was -7 degrees Celsius. What is the volume of air inside the ball at 3am?


A rollercoaster carriage wants to go up a slope of length 10m at an angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal, at what speed must the carriage be travelling at the bottom of the slope in order for it to reach the top? (Negligable Drag)


Explain what terminal velocity means.


Person A, weighing 35 kg, is sitting 10m away from a seesaw pivot. Person B, weighing 50 kg, it sitting at the other end, at a distance d. Calculate d, in order for the seesaw not to topple over. (g=10m/s^2)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences