Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid (liquid or

gas) between areas of different temperature. Warm air is less dense

than cold air, and so convection currents can form in the presence of a
temperature gradient. When currents are produced only by
temperature-derived density differences in the fluid, it is known
as natural convection. When the convection currents are due to an
external factor such as a pump or fan, this is forced convection. The
faster the fluid is moved, the faster the rate of convection.
The exchange of heat by convection between a body and its
environment depends on:
•
The temperature gradient between the two (this determines the
amount of heat absorbed or donated by a given mass of air that
comes into contact with the skin).
•
Relative movement of the fluid with which the body is in contact.
Despite the name, a radiator produces a good example of convective
heat transfer: if a hand is placed some distance above the radiator,
the hot air rising from it can still be felt. Within clothing, wind may enter
the clothing system and warm air within the clothing may be replaced
with cold air due to convective currents.

Convection is a process common to particles, gases, and vapors.

Convection occurs when a fluid is in motion and that motion carries
with it a material of interest such as the particles or droplets of an
aerosol. During inhalation, convection moves a material along with the
air from the space surrounding an individual into the respiratory tract,
bringing the material into proximity with the lining of the respiratory
tract. The pattern of airflow in the respiratory tract is determined by the
airway geometry which differs among species. Interspecies
differences in airway geometry are most marked in the nose, but also
exist in the lung. Once an aerosol particle or droplet comes into
contact with the airway lining, it usually sticks there. Likewise, highly
soluble/high mucosa:air partitioning gases are readily taken up by the
lining once delivered to the surface and are unlikely to reenter the air
stream. Therefore, convection which depends on airway geometry
plays a large role in the site specificity of deposition of particles and
highly soluble gases and vapors.
Convection

Convection is the process of carrying heat stored in a particle of the fluid into another location. Heat loss
may occur by convection to cooler surrounding air or heat gain from surrounding warmer air. Air passing
over the skin surface not only evaporates moisture, but also transfers sensible heat to or from the body.
The faster the rate of air movement, the larger is the temperature difference between the body and
surrounding air; and the larger the body surface area, the greater is the rate of heat transfer. When the
air temperature is lower than that of the skin (and clothing), the convective heat term (Cv) in equation
[1.2] is positive and the body loses heat to the air. If the air is warmer than the skin temperature, the
convective heat term (Cv) is negative and the body gains heat from the air. Convection becomes
increasingly effective at dissipating heat as air temperature decreases and air movement increases.