1. Approach one of the beakers around the room.
2. Sprinkle pepper (Mr. G is giving it out) into the beaker of water, and let it settle to the bottom of the beaker.
4. Turn on the hot plate to a medium setting. Do not boil the water.
5. Observe how the particles of pepper move as the water is heated, and make a drawing showing their motion.
6. Turn off the hot plate.
*Now, Draw a picture showing how the pepper moved when the water started heating up.
Make sure to label what is happening
Next, go to Mr. G after you draw the image above to get him to light another stick for you.
7. Blow out the stick, and observe the motion of the smoke.
* Now, Draw the movement of the smoke from the stick.
Make sure to label what is happening
Write down the title Conclude and Apply after your descriptions above and answer the 5 questions below.
1. Describe how the particles of pepper moved as the water became hotter.
2. Discuss how the motion of the pepper particles is related to the motion of the water.
3. Describe how the smoke particles moved when the candle was blown out.
4. What have you learned about the direction that heat travels in air?
Conclude and Apply:
1. The particles of pepper initially settled at the bottom of the beaker. As the water became hotter, the particles started to move and rise to the surface of the water.
2. The motion of the pepper particles is related to the motion of the water due to convection currents. As the water near the hot plate heats up, it becomes less dense and rises, carrying the pepper particles with it. As the water cools near the surface, it becomes denser and sinks back down, creating a continuous cycle of movement.
3. When the candle was blown out, the smoke particles moved in a random and chaotic manner, swirling and dispersing in all directions.
4. I have learned that heat travels in air through the process of convection. As air near a heat source becomes warmer, it expands and rises, while cooler air sinks, creating a circular motion of hot and cold air.
5. What other everyday examples can you think of where convection currents play a role in the movement of particles or substances?