What process involves the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids?

Convection is the process that involves the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, which can be liquids or gases. This heat transfer occurs when a fluid is heated, causing it to become less dense and rise, while the cooler, denser fluid descends. This creates a circulation pattern within the fluid, facilitating the movement of heat from one location to another. For example, in a pot of boiling water, the water at the bottom heats up, rises to the top, and then cools down as it loses heat to the air, creating a continuous cycle of fluid movement and heat transfer. This contrasts with conduction, where heat is transferred directly through materials without the movement of fluids, and radiation, which involves heat transfer through electromagnetic waves without any medium. Insulation refers to materials that slow down heat transfer rather than facilitate it, thus not being applicable in the context of heat transfer through fluid movement.