Question

What do you understand by ‘Heat Transfer’? Write the different modes of heat transfer.

Hint:

Conduction, convection, radiation — the big three!

Answer 1

Heat transfer is the movement of thermal energy from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a lower temperature.
It occurs naturally to equalize temperature differences.
In engineering, understanding heat transfer is important for designing systems like refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat exchangers.
There are three main modes of heat transfer:
1. Conduction: Transfer of heat through solids or between objects in direct contact.
Example: Heat moving through a metal rod.
2. Convection: Transfer of heat by movement of fluids (liquids or gases).
Example: Warm air rising in a room.
3. Radiation: Transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves without any medium.
Example: Sunlight warming the earth.
All three modes are important in HVAC and refrigeration systems.