Question

Which of the following drives the movement of convection currents?


pressure differences

density differences

volume differences

Answer 1

I am asking this because I am honestly confused, one textbook is telling me it is density, and the other is saying volume.

Answer 2

well density is an intrinsic property
and volume is an extensive property
they are both describing the same thing

Answer 3

Hence my confusion, I can only choose one.

Answer 4

It is caused by buoyancy forces. What happens to air when we heat it? It "expands" therefore, at the same pressure it will expand in volume. But since the mass doesn't change, the density must necessarily change.

Answer 5

intensive*

Answer 6

Maybe we should find a third book?

Answer 7

Let me look in my heat transfer book..

Answer 8

i think density is a better answer than volume

Answer 9

Thank you, I honestly think my teacher may have given me the wrongs disks for my course, I seem to have problems like this at least everyother assignment.

Answer 10

My HT book says density differences are the cause for buoyant forces that cause convection.

Answer 11

I will plug that in and see what the course replys with, thank you =D

Answer 12

Thank you, you were correct. Density was the reply the course wanted.

Answer 13

YES!