In which medium can convection currents be established?

Convection currents can be established in fluids, which include both liquids and gases but do not occur in solids. In a liquid or gas, the molecules can move freely, allowing warmer, less dense areas to rise and cooler, denser areas to sink, creating a circulation pattern known as convection.

In the case of gases, convection is commonly observed in the atmosphere and in heating systems where warm air rises while cooler air descends. This movement contributes to temperature distribution and energy transfer.

Solids do not allow for the free movement of particles in the same way; they may conduct heat but do not create convection currents. A vacuum, by definition, lacks matter and thus cannot support convection at all, as there are no particles present to facilitate the movement needed for convection to occur. Therefore, the response indicating that convection currents can be established in gases accurately reflects the conditions necessary for convection to take place.