Autoconvection

/ˌɔːtəʊkənˈvɛkʃən/ noun

Definition

The movement of heat or fluids within a substance driven by density differences created by the substance's own temperature variations.

Etymology

From auto- (self) + convection (from Latin convectus, carried together). Describes natural convection currents that arise spontaneously from internal thermal gradients.

Kelly Says

When you heat up a pot of soup from the bottom, the hot soup becomes lighter and rises on its own through autoconvection—the fluid moves itself without any stirring, which is why stewing is so efficient at cooking food evenly.

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