Forced-air heating systems, such as furnaces and ductwork, are examples of what type of heat transfer?

Forced-air heating systems utilize convection for heat transfer. In these systems, air is heated by the furnace and then distributed throughout a building via ducts. When the heated air flows into the living spaces, it warms the surfaces and objects in those areas through the circulation of air, which is the essence of convection.

In convection, the movement of air plays a pivotal role; as the air heats up and expands, it becomes less dense and rises, while cooler air moves in to take its place, creating a consistent flow. This process ensures that heat is evenly distributed in the environment. Unlike conduction, which relies on direct contact between materials to transfer heat, or radiation, which transfers heat through electromagnetic waves without needing a medium, forced-air systems primarily depend on the movement of air to heat spaces efficiently.