Which of the following statements distinguishes thermal conduction for convection? i. Conduction requires a material medium while convection does not ii. In...

Answer Details

Statement ii and iii distinguish thermal conduction from convection. Thermal conduction refers to the transfer of heat energy through a medium without any actual motion of the medium itself. In conduction, heat is transferred by the transfer of kinetic energy from one molecule to another through collisions. As a result, in conduction, molecules vibrate faster about their mean positions. On the other hand, convection is the transfer of heat energy by the actual movement of a fluid. In convection, hotter and less dense fluids rise while cooler and denser fluids sink, creating a circular motion that transfers heat energy from one place to another. Statement i is incorrect because both conduction and convection require a medium through which heat can be transferred. Statement iii is also incorrect because both thermal conduction and convection can occur in both solids and fluids. Therefore, the correct answer is ii and iii only.