Convection Box (Debbie Brenner)

Author

Debbie Brenner, Santa Clarita Christian School

Principles

behavior of gas as a fluid

warm air is less dense than cool air, experiences a lesser force due to gravity, and rises

convection procedure and flow of air: transmission of heat by the movement of heated gases, which move as a current

Demonstration of Bernoulli's principle: Fluids flow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

Standards

NGSS Science & engineering standards

  • Asking questions

  • develop and using models

NGSS Cross-cutting concept standards

  • Cause and effect

  • systems and system models

  • energy and matter

  • stability and change

NGSS Disciplinary core idea standards

  • From molecules to organisms (HS-LS1)

  • ecosystems: Interactions, energy and dynamics (HS-LS2)

  • Earth and human activity (HS-ESS3)

  • Matter and Its Interactions (HS-PS 1)

Materials needed

convection box

tea candle

lighter

rolled up piece of paper or incense stick

tongs

Procedure

      1. Light candle in convection box and place under one of the chimneys.

      2. Close glass window and allow inside of box to heat several minutes.

    1. Light incense stick or rolled up paper and allow to burn and smoke for a few minutes.

    2. Hold incense stick just outside the second chimney, opposite from the chimney over the candle.

    3. Observe the path of smoke in the convection box.

    4. Record observations in a labeled drawing.

Explanation

Provide a solid scientific explanation for the principles illustrated by the demonstration equipment.

Questions

  1. How was the air inside the convection box warmed?

  2. Why is the inside of the box painted black?

  3. What happens to the smoke of the incense stick/paper as it is placed near the opening of the glass chimney opposite the candle? Why does this happen?

  4. Explain what happens to the smoke after it enters the convection box.

Everyday examples of the principles illustrated

Explain how temperature affects the circulation of ocean water.

Investigate The Theory of Plate Tectonics to discover how scientists explain how continents can move.

Urban heat islands, sea breezes, hot air balloons: NOAA resource page

Investigate convection on the sun.

Photos

Movies

References

http://www.csun.edu/~jrs95812/comps/convectionbox/index.htm.htm

http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/Lessons/les7.html