A lava lamp is similar to convection currents in that both involve the movement of a fluid due to differences in temperature. In a lava lamp, the heat from the lamp causes the wax or liquid inside to heat up and become less dense, causing it to rise to the top. As it cools down near the surface, it becomes denser and starts sinking back down. This cyclic movement of liquid mimics convection currents, which occur in fluids when warmer, less dense portions rise, while cooler, denser portions sink. Both lava lamps and convection currents involve the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid.
