Conduction vs. Convection
Main DifferenceThe main difference between conduction, and convection, is that conduction happens due to physical contact of solid when the temperature is increased; convection is a movement of heat energy within the liquid.

Difference Between Conduction and Convection
Conduction vs. Convection
Conduction is a transference of heat energy by direct contact of solids whereas Convection is a transference of heat energy due to the motion of liquid matter.
Conduction vs. Convection
Conduction is specified to solids whereas Convection is specified to liquids.
Conduction vs. Convection
Conduction is slower than convection and radiation whereas Convection is quick then conduction.
Conductionnoun
(physics) The conveying of heat or electricity through material.
Convectionnoun
The process of conveying something.
Conductionnoun
The act of leading or guiding.
Convectionnoun
(physics) The transmission of heat in a fluid by the circulation of currents.
Conductionnoun
(obsolete) The act of training up.
Convectionnoun
(meteorology) The vertical movement of heat and moisture, especially by updrafts and downdrafts in an unstable air mass. The terms convection and thunderstorm are often used interchangeably, although thunderstorms are only one form of convection. Towering cumulus clouds are visible forms of convection.
Conductionnoun
the transmission of heat or electricity or sound
Convectionnoun
the transfer of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas) caused by molecular motion
Convectionnoun
(meteorology) the vertical movement of heat or other properties by massive motion within the atmosphere
Comparison Chart
Conduction | Convection |
Conduction is the process of transference of heat due to direct physical contact with solids. This transference of energy is somberly based on the solid medium. | Convection is the process of flow of heat energy due to the flow of liquid molecules. This transference of energy is somberly based on the motion of the liquid medium. |
Occurrence | |
Phenomena of conduction occur in solids. | Phenomena of convection occur in liquids. |
Rapidity | |
Slowest | Slow |
Transference | |
By physical contact of solids. | By the flow of the liquid molecule. |
Characterize | |
The flow of heat energy between solid substances. | The flow of heat energy within the liquid. |
Cause | |
Increase in temperature. | Increase in density. |
Follows | |
No law | No law |
Involvement | |
Physical contact of solids. | the flow of liquid matter. |
Conduction vs. Convection
Conduction is the 1st phase of heat transference that occurs by raising the temperature of solid in direct contact of heat. Convection is the 2nd phase of heat transference that occurs due to the flow of liquid vibrating molecules upon heating. The heat travels via electromagnetic waves in radiation.
What is Conduction?
Conduction is the process of transference of heat due to direct physical contact with solids. This transference of energy is somberly based on the solid medium. Conductions is happened due to the change in temperature, i.e. increase in temperature. This phenomenon depicts the flow of heat energy between solid substances in direct contact. Transference of heat energy in conduction is carried out by physical contact of solids substances at high temperature. Heat energy travels at a relatively slow speed in conduction as compared to convention and radiation both. Heat is passed due to the physical contact and vibrating motion of colliding solid molecules at high temperature. We often heard people metal is a very good conductor of heat whereas plastic is not that much effective in conducting heat. This variance is due to the difference between the natures of solids. Conduction a lot emphasize on the solid is in the contact when the temperature is raised. The solids like metal have stronger intermolecular forces of attraction that tightly bind all of them together, whenever the temperature is rises of metal with direct physical contact, due to the vibration of tightly packed molecules of metal heat energy is carried and transferred all around the body of the metal itself.
Example
The basic example of conduction includes heating a metal pan on the stove under fire. As the temperature rises, the heat energy is transferred all over the pan.
What is Convection?
Convection is the process of flow of heat energy due to the flow of liquid molecules. This transference of energy is somberly based on the motion of the liquid medium. The process of convection involves the flow of liquid matter at high temperature. Convection occurs due to the change in the density of a liquid, i.e. increase in density. Transference of heat energy in convection is carried out by the flow of liquid molecule at high temperature. It is solemnly within the liquid. Heat energy in the convection process travel at relatively slow speed as compared to radiation and quicker in contrast to conduction. Heat energy is passed due to the flow of vibrating liquid molecules at high temperature. Heat energy travels within the fluid. Convection is the second phase when it comes to three heat conversion phases. Whenever the temperature of a liquid matter is increasing upon heating or natural increase, the fluid molecules starts vibrating rapidly which causes in the increase of density of the liquid to which the heat travels all around the liquid justifying the phenomena of convection. Convection does not follow the law of reflection and the law of refraction
Example
Continuing the example of the metal pan heated on the stove, if the liquid is present in the pan over the fire. The liquid on the increase in temperature will start boiling, and the heat energy will be transferred all around the liquid. This phenomenon depicts convection.
ConclusionConduction occurs due to an increase in temperature in solids when in physical contact, convection is a movement of heat energy within liquid due to molecular motion.