Final answer:
The temperature and volume of air change when it is heated or cooled, affecting density and initiating convection currents. Convection involves the movement of warmer, less dense air rising and cooler, denser air sinking, influencing weather patterns. The latent heat of fusion also plays a role in moderating air temperatures near large bodies of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two major characteristics that change when air is heated and cooled are temperature and volume. When air is heated, its temperature increases, and it expands due to an increase in kinetic energy of the particles, which leads to a decrease in density. Conversely, when air is cooled, its temperature decreases, and it contracts, resulting in an increase in density. These changes in temperature and volume affect the movement of air through the process of convection.
Convection refers to the heat transfer by the macroscopic movement of a fluid, such as air, which can occur naturally in environments such as weather systems. Warm air, being less dense, rises and is replaced by cooler, denser air that sinks. This creates a convection current which is a key factor in weather patterns and heat distribution in the atmosphere.
Additionally, the latent heat of fusion of water can influence air temperatures near large bodies of water. When water freezes, it releases heat, which can help to prevent the surrounding air temperature from falling significantly below 0°C. This demonstrates the importance of phase changes in the movement and temperature regulation of air masses.