What is the method called that involves the transfer of heat by warming the air next to a hot surface and then moving that warm air?

The method described involves the transfer of heat through the movement of air, specifically by warming the air that is in contact with a hot surface and then allowing that air to move. This process is known as convection. Convection occurs when warmer air, which is less dense, rises and is replaced by cooler air, creating a continuous cycle of heat transfer.

In residential and commercial settings, convection is an essential principle behind heating systems, such as radiators and forced-air systems, where warm air circulates throughout a space, efficiently distributing heat.

Radiation involves heat transfer through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, while conduction refers to heat transfer through direct contact between materials without the movement of the materials themselves. Insulation relates to materials designed to reduce heat transfer but does not specify the mechanism of heat movement. The distinct process of convection makes it the correct answer to the question about how heat is transferred by moving warmed air.