aerothermic

Aerothermic is an adjective formed from aero- (air) and therm- (heat). It describes phenomena, processes, or systems in which air flow and heat transfer interact. The term is used across disciplines to indicate that thermal effects are driven or mediated by moving air, and may refer to temperature changes in the air or on surfaces in contact with air.

In aerospace engineering, aerothermic effects are central to modelling the heating of air and vehicle surfaces during high-speed flight or atmospheric entry. Shock compression, boundary-layer friction, and rapid expansion or compression of gases produce significant temperature changes, influencing material selection and thermal protection design. Aerothermal analysis combines computational fluid dynamics with heat transfer and material response.

In building and mechanical engineering, aerothermic performance refers to how air movement and heat exchange govern indoor climate, energy efficiency, and ventilation. Systems that condition indoor air rely on controlled aerothermic processes to transfer heat between indoor spaces and outdoor environments.

In meteorology and atmospheric science, the term may be used to describe temperature changes associated with moving air masses, including convective heating and adiabatic processes, though the phrase is not universally standardized. In practice, researchers may employ the related field of aerothermodynamics to study the combined effects of aerodynamics and thermodynamics on gases in motion.

See also: aerothermal, aerothermodynamics, convective heat transfer, thermal protection system.