ABSTRACT
Heat transfer is the term applied to a study in which the details or mechanisms of the transfer of energy in the form of heat are identified and modeled. Heat transfer is energy in transit, which occurs as a result of a temperature gradient or difference. Heat transfer occurs by three basic mechanisms or modes—conduction, convection, and radiation. Convection is the term applied to heat transfer due to bulk movement of a fluid. Fluid mechanics therefore plays an important part in the analysis of convection problems. Convection is the mode of heat transfer associated with fluid motion. If the fluid motion is due to an external motive source such as a fan or pump, the term forced convection applies. Conduction and convection are heat-transfer mechanisms involving a material medium through which energy travels. However, energy can also be transferred through a region in which a perfect vacuum exists.
