Question
Distinguish between conduction and advection.
Solution
Conduction: In this, the heat flows from the hotter zone to the colder zone through matter by molecular activity. When two bodies of unequal temperature are in contact with one another, the molecules of warmer body transfer heat to the molecules of colder body. This process of transfer of heat continues until both bodies attain the same temperature or the contact is broken. This mechanism of transfer of heat is important only in the Lower layers of the atmosphere because the ability of the substances to conduct heat varies.
Advection: In this mechanisms, there is horizontal movement of the air masses. Thus these air masses transfer heat from equatorial regions to the polar regions.
Out of these mechanisms of heat transfer, conduction is the least important meteorologically because air is fluid and is a poor conductor of heat. It has its value in the lower layers of the atmosphere where the air is in direct contact with the earth's surface.
