What is the term for a movement of a fluid caused by temperature differences that transfers heat?

The term that describes a movement of fluid caused by temperature differences, resulting in the transfer of heat, is convection current. This process occurs when warmer fluid, which is less dense, rises, while cooler fluid, which is denser, sinks. This movement creates a continuous cycle known as a convection current.

Convection currents are essential in various natural processes, including atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and even in the heating of fluids in a pot on the stove. They play a crucial role in distributing heat throughout the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, influencing weather patterns and climate.

In contrast, tide refers to the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and sun, which is not driven by temperature differences. A pressure wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium, often related to sound waves or seismic activity, and does not involve a fluid movement based on temperature gradients. Surface current pertains to the horizontal movement of water at the surface of the ocean, largely influenced by wind patterns rather than thermal differences directly.