A student places a large pot of cold water on a stove and heats it for one minute. Then she takes the pot of water off the burner and places it on the counter. Which best describes the convection currents? Convection currents move thermal energy from the stove to the pot, and then from the pot to the water. After the stove is turned off, convection currents continue to transfer energy through the water for a period of time. Convection currents in the water cause warmer, denser water to rise and transfer energy upward. When the stove is turned on, convection currents cause an increase in the chemical energy of water molecules.