Convection Activity

*Note: Although original content and pictures are used, this material has been re-created from an existing lab in the National Science Labs Database. Please see References for source information.

By: Suzanna Schatzlein, James Hasler, and Joshua Cochran Use a title that indicates that this is a manual.

Formatted: Font: 12 pt

Introduction:

This activity will help you learn the fascinating phenomenon

of convection. Convection is the circular motion of heat transfer in liquids and gases. Through experimental trials you will observe and analyze food coloring as it transfers through convection cells in water. This model can be related to similar activity happening in the Earths atmosphere. Please allow approximately 50 minutes for the activity.

Materials
Required
Room temperature water Hot water (158F/70C) Food coloring Plastic pan Pipette or medicine dropper Four Solo cups Data sheet for observations

Suggested for Safety

Splash goggles Aprons Gloves Towels for spills Basin or sink

Convection Activity
Procedure
Setup enlarge
Step 1: Safety: Put on goggles, aprons, and gloves. Step 2: Place three of the four cups upside down in a triangle pattern as shown. Step 3: Fill the fourth cup with room
temperature water and place the cup into the center of the three cups. Nice design and illustrations, so far.

Room temperature water

Step 4: Place plastic pan on top of

the four cups, and fill it with room

temperature water.

Step 5: Leave the pan untouched

until water has settled.

Room temperature water

Convection Activity
Preview:
In Trial 1, you will observe the movement of food coloring with no heat source. You will compare these results with the results of future trials. You need consistency with these headings (see setup for example).

Trial 1
Place under water at the bottom of the pan

Step 6: Fill the pipette or syringe with food coloring. Step 7: Once the water has settled, place the end of the filled pipette or syringe under water. Step 8: Release a small amount of food coloring into the bottom center of the pan. *Be careful not to disturb the water.

Step 9: Observe the water for about

2 minutes, viewing from the side and above. Then record your observations in appendix A for Trial 1. *If water is not too colored it may be reused. In this case, just set pan with water to the side.

did you create this diagram? If not, you need to cite your source.

Record observations for Trial 1 Record observations

for Trial 1
3

Convection Activity
Preview 2?:
a heat source. In Trial 2, you will observe the movement of food coloring with

Trial 2
Step 10: If water is too colored, remove plastic pan, dump out colored water, and set pan aside. Step 11: Remove the room
temperature water from the center cup.

Hot water

Step 12: Fill the center cup with hot water, and put the cup back in the center of the three overturned cups.

Step 13: Place plastic pan back on

top of the four cups and refill the pan with room temperature water.

Step 14: Fill the pipette or syringe

with food coloring.

Room temperature water

Convection Activity
Place under water at the bottom of the pan

Step 15: Once the water has settled, place the end of the color filled pipette or syringe under water. Step 16: Release a small amount of food coloring into the bottom center of the pan. *Be careful not to disturb the water.

Step 17: Observe the water for

about 2 minutes, viewing from the side and above. Then record your observations in appendix A for Trial

2.
*If water is not too colored it may be reused. In this case, keep pan on top of the cups.

Record observations Record observations for Trial 22 for Trial

Convection Activity
Preview 3:
In Trial 3, you will observe the movement of food coloring with a heat souce as in the last trial, but in this trial the food coloring will be placed on the bottom of the pan halfway between the center and the outside of the pan.

Trial 3
Step 18: Remove plastic pan, dump
out colored water, then set pan aside.

Step 19: If hot water in center cup

has cooled, dump out and refill it with new hot water then place back in center of the cups.

Hot water

Step 20: Place plastic pan back on

top of the four cups and refill the pan with room temperature water.

Step 21: Fill the pipette or syringe

with more coloring.

Room temperature water

Convection Activity
Step 22: Release a small amount of
food coloring under water in the bottom of the pan half way between the center and outer edge. *Be careful not to disturb the water.

Good description
Place under water at the bottom, half way. pan

Step 23: Observe the water for

Record observations for Trial 3. about 2 minutes, viewing from the side and above. Then record your observations in appendix A for Trial 3.

Step 24: After you have recorded all

of your results, discard the water, clean and return all materials.

Step 25: Discuss your results with

your teacher.

Convection Activity
Conclusion:
This activity has illustrated an example of convection; a way

that heat can be transferred from one place to another. When water is heated from below, the water closest to the heat source begins to expand and become less dense (less compact). As the density of the water decreases, the water moves upward toward the surface. The upward movement away from the heat source causes the water to cool. While the water cools its density increases (more compact) and in turn begins to sink. This cycle of heating and rising, cooling and sinking, creates convection currents in the water known as convection cells. This is similar to what happens in the Earths atmosphere and oceans. As parcels of water or air are heated, usually by the Sun, they begin to rise. While the section of water or air moves farther away from the heat source, it begins to cool and sink. These rising and sinking currents in convection cells, due to changes in density, help us explain wind and deep ocean currents.

Convection Activity
Appendix A Observation Worksheet
For the following sections please record the observation from each trial by drawing the convection activity in the diagrams. Be sure to indicate direction of color flow if any.
Side View Top View

Trial 1 Description: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ _

Side View

Top View

Trial 2 Description: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___

Side View

Top View

Trial 3 Description: 9 ___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________ __

Convection Activity
Appendix B Observation Worksheet Answers
For the following sections please record the observation from each trial by drawing the convection activity in the diagrams. Be sure to indicate direction of color flow if any.
Side View Top View

Trial 1 Description: Food coloring does not move and sits at the bottom.____________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________

Side View

Top View

Trial 2 Description: Food coloring rises from the center moves out toward the edges and falls back down in a circular motion like a mushroom cloud.______________________________________________________

Side View

Top View

Trial 3 Description: Food coloring is drawn towards the center and rises 10 to the top, then falls down in a short distance. ____________________ ___________________________________________________________

Convection Activity
References
*Fullagar, Paul, and Nancy West. Project Earth Science: Geology, Revised 2nd Edition. Arlington, Virginia: NSTA Press, 2011. Print

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Convection Activity
L. Bruce English 360

Instruction Manual Assessment Sheet*

Names:

Suzanna Schatzlein, James Hasler, and Joshua Cochran

YES NO
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1) Do the instructions have a clear, appropriate title? 2) Does the introduction to the instructions o o o State the purpose of the task? Describe safety measures or other concerns that readers should understand? List necessary tools and materials?

YES YES YES

NO NO NO

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3) Are the step-by-step instructions o o o o o Numbered? Expressed w/ active, imperative verbs? Simple, clear, and direct? Easy to followcould you do this procedure using this guide? Accompanied by appropriate citations? YES YES YES YES YES NO NO NO NO NO
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4) Are the graphics o Appropriate and clear? YES NO o Located near their corresponding text? YES NO o Accompanied by descriptive captions? YES NO o Accompanied by appropriate citations? YES NO I dont know. The lab notebook page isnt cited underneath, but it looks like you might have created it. Did you? 5) Does the conclusion o o Include any necessary follow-up advice? Include, if appropriate, a troubleshooting guide? YES YES YES NO NO NO
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6) Is the manual designed effectively, with adequate white space?

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Convection Activity
*Assessment Sheet, adapted from Markels page 574

Assessment Overview (hint: start with a positivewhats working here?): This is a wonderful manual. I could (and will) do this activity with my son. Its clearly written and illustrated. If you made the lab sheets, kudos to you! My only issue was with the setup and preview type headings. I think if you revised this, youd want more consistency with those headings. GRADE: 97

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