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Actually, both cold air & hot air move.
Imagine 3 laser beams are focused to converge on a single point in a typical room with normal air temperature. When the lasers are switched on, the beams converge and energize the air molecules that are in the convergence zone. As the photons in the light collide with the air molecules, the air molecules absorb energy, vibrate/oscillate, & collide with other nearby air molecules very rapidly. This highly kinetic energy state is what we call heat (i.e. energy in the form of heat).
Because the heated molecules are colliding with other molecules, the distance between the heated molecules increases. This results in a lower density region (where heated air molecules are) within a higher density zone (where the cooler air molecules are).
Gravity pulls on each of the molecules equally, however the denser cooler air is pulled downward to displace the warmer less dense air.
To visualize this easier, imagine a drop of oil is injected into the center of a cup of water and the oil is less dense than the water. Eventually, gravity will pull the more dense water molecules below the oil molecules. As the more dense water displaces the less dense oil, the displaced oil moves upwards to the surface.
Original Poster's Answer:
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Technically it is the hot air that makes the cold air move however that is the wrong terminology. Hot air rises in fluids due to convection currents. When air is heated it expands (as particles gain more kinetic energy) and therefore becomes less dense. It will then rise forcing the more dense air down. The more dense air then gets heated and becomes less dense and rises...thus the cycle continues. A real life scenario of this is why it is hotter in a sauna the higher up you sit.
What else can I help you with?
Why does cold air make helium balloons collapse when you take them outside?
Cold air molecules move slowly, while hot air molecules move quickly. That's why cold air contracts, weighs less, and go down, while warm air expands, gets lighter, and go up. The cold air inside a helium balloon would contract and make the balloon collapse. Otherwise, there would be a vacuum in the balloon.
What changes cold air to hot air?
Cold air can be changed to hot air through the process of heating. This can be achieved by passing the cold air through a heater, which raises its temperature to make it hot. The process of heating involves adding energy to the air, causing its molecules to move faster and increase in temperature.
Why does got air rise and cold air sink?
Hot air rises because it is less dense than cold air. As hot air heats up, its molecules move more quickly and spread out, making it lighter and causing it to rise. Conversely, cold air is denser and sinks because its molecules move slower and are more closely packed together.
Why is hot air heavier than cold air?
Heat itself is a form of energy. This gives the air molecules more kinetic energy. Thus, with more kinetic energy, the air molecules move a lot more. Adversely, in cold air, there is less energy, thus the air molecules move less slowly. This is what gives hot air more volume than cold air. (Yeah I know I used more commas than I should've.)
What is the origin of cold wet air masses?
Cold wet air masses originate from polar or arctic regions where the air is cold and has high moisture content. These air masses move towards lower latitudes and can bring cold temperatures and precipitation when they interact with warmer air masses.
In which direction does air move: from hot to cold or from cold to hot?
Air moves from hot to cold.
How does air above a cold surface?
how does air above cold surface move
What way do cold air molecules move?
In cold air, molecules move slower then they would move in warm air. One part of the KPM (kinetic particle model) states that temperature directly effects the movement of the particles, therefore causing the molecules of the warm air to move faster (because of more frequent collisions between the molecules).
What air causes molecules to move slowly?
Extremely cold air.
How do you think molecules move in hot and in cold air?
In hot areas the molecules move quickly and in cold areas the molecules move slower.
Which is faster in diffusion cold air or hot air?
Hot air diffuses faster than cold air because the molecules in hot air move more quickly, spreading out and mixing with the surrounding air at a faster rate. Cold air molecules move more slowly, resulting in slower diffusion.
What is an example of convection in earth systems?
examples are air rotating when heat and cold air move aroundthe sun to the ocean
Why do cold and warm fronts move?
Cold and warm fronts move because they are air, which flows just as easily as water.
What is the difference in hot and cold air particles?
Hot air particles have more energy and move more quickly compared to cold air particles, which have less energy and move more slowly. This results in hot air being less dense and rising, while cold air is denser and sinks.
How do you think the molecules move in hot and cold air?
In hot areas the molecules move quickly and in cold areas the molecules move slower.
Why does cold air make helium balloons collapse when you take them outside?
Cold air molecules move slowly, while hot air molecules move quickly. That's why cold air contracts, weighs less, and go down, while warm air expands, gets lighter, and go up. The cold air inside a helium balloon would contract and make the balloon collapse. Otherwise, there would be a vacuum in the balloon.
Why is air pressure low when the air is cold?
Because the atoms of air molecules move slower when the weather is cold, thus making the air pressure to lower.
