A coal fire is burning in the bottom of a furnace, with a chimney above it. Air moves into the furnace from an opening at the bottom and up the chimney. Describe how the process of convection causes this air movement.

The air is heated by the coal fire. This causes the air to expand as the molecules move further apart. As a result the air becomes less dense. The less dense air rises. The cooler air from outside the chimney displaces the hot air. Above the chimney the hot air cools. The cool air falls. This process of convection is repeated.

JB

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Astronauts on the ISS orbit Earth 16 times a day at a height of 400km above the surface. Given that the radius of Earth is approximately 6400km, how fast are the astronauts travelling?


What's the difference between a vector and a scalar?


On a see-saw Mary, weight 600N balances John, weight 200N when she sits 1.5m away from the pivot. How far from the pivot is John?


Describe the purpose of the moderator in a nuclear fission reactor.