Which method transfers heat through the movement of particles in liquids or gases?

Convection is the method that transfers heat through the movement of particles in liquids or gases. This process occurs when warmer, less dense areas of a fluid rise while cooler, denser areas sink, creating a circular motion known as a convection current. As the warmer fluid rises, it carries heat with it, transferring energy through the movement of particles. This is a key principle in various natural phenomena, such as weather patterns and ocean currents, as well as in practical applications like heating systems and cooking.

In contrast, conduction refers to heat transfer through direct contact between materials where heat energy moves from the hotter region to the cooler one, primarily in solids. Radiation involves the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, allowing heat to travel through the vacuum of space. Absorption is not a method of heat transfer but rather describes how materials take in energy when they interact with radiation.