Which cooling method is limited in its effect because it relies on natural airflow?

The cooling method that is limited in its effect due to its reliance on natural airflow is convection. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (which includes air). In this case, the cooling relies on the natural flow and circulation of air to remove heat from the surface or object.

However, this method can be significantly limited in effectiveness based on environmental conditions, such as when there is still air or insufficient airflow, which hinders the heat removal process. The efficiency of convection cooling can also be affected by the temperature difference between the object being cooled and the surrounding air; a smaller temperature difference can reduce the rate of heat transfer.

In contrast, conduction involves direct heat transfer through materials, refrigeration uses a mechanical system to remove heat, and evaporation involves the conversion of liquid to vapor to absorb heat, each with their own distinct mechanics that do not inherently rely on natural airflow.