Convection Currents (Anna Tavitian)

Author

Anna Tavitian

Principle(s) Illustrated

1. Convection Currents

2. Density

3. Temperature Inversion

Standards

• Middle School - 6th grade

  • Energy in the Earth System

    • 4.Many phenomena on Earth’s surface are affected by the transfer of energy through radiation and convection currents.

• High School - Earth Science

  • Energy in the Earth System

    • 5.Heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere by the sun drives convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds and ocean currents.

    • 6. Climate is the long-term average of a region’s weather and depends on many factors.

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

Denser objects sink and less dense objects float.

Convection current - warm fluid rises and cooler fluid sinks.

Root question:

What is the relationship between hot and cold fluid?

Target response:

The warmer fluid will rise as the cooler fluid sinks due to difference in temperature and density.

Common Misconceptions:

Color has something to do with the reason the water mixes or doesn't.

Photographs and Movies

Materials:

• 4 bottles

• blue and yellow food coloring

• playing card

• hot and cold water

• 2 small containers

• red and blue food coloring

• a large bowl

• hot and cold water