ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENON AND AIR TEMPERATURE

INVESTIGATION  C:  CONVECTION IN AIR  Adapted and modified from Steve Carson Ph.D., GFDL

OBJECTIVE:  The students will demonstrate that warm air rises and cold air sinks (air density) to
create convection currents.

MATERIALS:  2 aquariums with black backgrounds
                         aluminum pans for lids
                         black paper on the bottom of one end
                         two "candles" (rolled waxed paper set upright in a stand)
                         bright light
                         ice pack
                         matches

PROCEDURE:  1.  Shine the light into the end of the aquarium with the black paper on the bottom to
                           heat the paper (START EARLIER).
                           2.  When the paper is heated, place the other aquarium next to the lighted one on
                           the opposite end from the light.
                           3.  Light one of the "candles" and place it in the center of the unheated aquarium.
                           4.  Blow out the flame, quickly cover, and observe.
                           5.  Light the second "candle," place it in the center of the heated aquarium just below
                           the lid. Blow out the flame, quickly cover the aquarium, place the ice pack on the lid
                           on the end opposite to the light, and observe.

OBSERVATIONS (unheated aquarium):

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OBSERVATIONS (heated aquarium):

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CONCLUSIONS:  ______________________________________________________________________________

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Woodrow Wilson Leadership Program in Environmental Science lpt@www.woodrow.org
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation webmaster@woodrow.org
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