Consequences of thermal energy transfer

Metals are good thermal conductors, allowing thermal energy from the stove to transfer quickly through the base of the pan to the water. Ceramic is a poor thermal conductor; therefore, thermal energy will transfer more slowly to the water.

The heater warms the air around it.
Warm air is less dense, so it rises.
As the warm air rises, cooler air descends to take its place near the heater.
This cooler air is then heated.
This process creates a convection current, circulating warm air throughout the room and distributing thermal energy.

Conduction: Heat from the burning wood travels through the wood itself by conduction, causing more of the wood to reach its combustion temperature.
Convection: The hot gases produced by the fire rise due to convection, carrying thermal energy upwards and warming the air in the room. Cooler air replaces the rising hot air, creating a convection current.
Radiation: The burning wood emits infrared radiation, which travels outwards in all directions and directly heats objects and people in the room, even if they are not in the direct path of the convection currents.

1. Coolant heated by the engine flows into the radiator, where it is cooled. This cooler coolant then flows back to the engine, creating a convection current.
2. Air flows over the fins of the radiator, driven by a fan or the motion of the car. This forced convection removes heat from the radiator.