Which heat transfer method is characterized by the movement of liquids and gases?

The method of heat transfer characterized by the movement of liquids and gases is convection. Convection occurs when warmer areas of a liquid or gas rise, while cooler areas sink, creating a circulation pattern that effectively transfers heat. This process can be observed in various natural phenomena, such as the heating of water on a stove, where hot water rises to the surface while cooler water descends, or in atmospheric dynamics where warm air rises and cool air moves in to replace it.

In contrast, conduction refers to heat transfer through direct contact between materials, where thermal energy moves from the hotter object to the cooler object without any movement of the material itself. Radiation involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, allowing energy to be transmitted through a vacuum, such as the heat from the sun reaching Earth. Insulation refers to materials that slow down the transfer of heat, rather than being a method of heat transfer itself.