What is the relationship between temperature difference and convective heat transfer?

The relationship between temperature difference and convective heat transfer is indeed proportional. This means that as the temperature difference between a solid surface and a fluid increases, the rate of convective heat transfer also increases. Convective heat transfer occurs due to the movement of fluid and is influenced by several factors, including surface temperature, fluid properties, and the temperature difference.

In practical terms, if you have a hot surface and the surrounding air is cooler, the greater the temperature disparity, the more kinetic energy is transferred from the surface to the fluid. This can be described mathematically by Newton's Law of Cooling, which states that the rate of heat transfer is directly proportional to the temperature difference between the two bodies. Therefore, a larger temperature difference results in a more significant drive to transfer heat from the surface to the fluid, enhancing the convective heat transfer rate.

Understanding this proportional relationship is crucial for applications such as heat exchanger design and thermal management in various engineering and safety contexts.