What is the method of heat transfer that occurs through a gas or liquid?

The method of heat transfer that occurs through a gas or liquid is convection. This process involves the movement of warmer, less dense fluid rising and cooler, denser fluid sinking, creating a circulation pattern that facilitates heat distribution. In convection, the transfer of thermal energy occurs as particles of the fluid move from one place to another, effectively carrying heat with them.

Conduction, on the other hand, is the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, typically occurring in solids rather than fluids. Radiation involves the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, meaning it can occur even in a vacuum. Insulation is a material used to reduce heat loss or gain, not a method of heat transfer itself. Thus, understanding that convection is characterized by fluid motion helps underscore why it is the correct answer in this context.