What happens to the air as the stove heats it?

Chemistry · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020

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As a stove heats the air, several changes occur:

Expansion: The air molecules gain kinetic energy, causing them to move more rapidly and increasing the space between them. This results in the expansion of the air.

Decreased Density: As the air expands, its density decreases. The decrease in density is due to the increased spacing between air molecules.

Convection: Hot air is less dense than cold air, so it rises. This creates convection currents where the hot air near the stove rises, and cooler air moves in to replace it. This process helps distribute heat in the surrounding environment.

Changes in Pressure: The increased temperature causes an increase in pressure within the air. This is a result of the more energetic and more widely spaced air molecules colliding with surfaces.

In summary, heating the air causes it to expand, decrease in density, rise due to convection, and experience changes in pressure.