English

Noun

free convection ‎(plural free convections)

1. (physics) The convection (carriage) of contents of a fluid, such as mass or (especially) heat, by means of currents induced in the fluid by a buoyancy force which is dependent on an acceleration (such as gravity) acting upon density changes in the fluid which are induced by heat.

   The draft of a chimney due to a fire in a fireplace, and the rising of smoke particles from a fire, are due to free convection.

   The transfer of heat from a hot object by means of upward hot air currents from the object, is due to free convection.

See also

• convection
• forced convection
• natural convection
• gravitational convection