different between diffusion vs convection

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin diffusionem (accusative of diffusio), from diffund?; can be decomposed as diffuse +? -ion.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??fju???n/
• Rhymes: -u???n

Noun

diffusion (countable and uncountable, plural diffusions)

1. The act of diffusing or dispersing something, or the property of being diffused or dispersed; dispersion.
2. (physics) The scattering of light by reflection from a rough surface, or by passage through a translucent medium.
3. (physics) The intermingling of the molecules of a fluid due to random thermal agitation.
4. The spread of cultural or linguistic practices, or social institutions, in one or more communities.
5. (marketing) The gradual spread and adoption of goods or services.
6. (physics, weather) Exchange of airborne media between regions in space in an apparently random motion of a small scale.
7. The movement of water vapor from regions of high concentration (high water vapor pressure) toward regions of lower concentration.

Translations

See also

• diffuser

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin diffusio, diffusionem. Synchronically analysable as diffuser +? -ion.

Noun

diffusion f (plural diffusions)

1. broadcasting, showing
2. dissemination, diffusion (of culture, knowledge, etc.)
3. circulation (of a news medium)
4. (physics) diffusion

Derived terms

• liste de diffusion

Related terms

• diffus
• diffuser

See also

• émission

Further reading

• “diffusion” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Alternative forms

• convexion

Etymology

From Latin convectionem, from convectio (“act of carrying”), from convect-, past participle of convehere (“to carry together”), combination of com- and vehere.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?v?k??n/
• Rhymes: -?k??n

Noun

convection (countable and uncountable, plural convections)

1. The process of conveying something.
2. (physics) The transmission of heat in a fluid by the circulation of currents.
3. (meteorology) The vertical movement of heat and moisture, especially by updrafts and downdrafts in an unstable air mass. The terms convection and thunderstorm are often used interchangeably, although thunderstorms are only one form of convection. Towering cumulus clouds are visible forms of convection.

Coordinate terms

• (physics): conduction, radiation

Derived terms

• forced convection
• free convection
• gravitational convection

Translations

See also

• weather

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “convection”, in Online Etymology Dictionary