Convection Current

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In this activity, learners make their own heat waves in an aquarium. Warmer water rising through cooler water creates turbulence effects that bend light, allowing you to project swirling shadows onto a screen. Use this demonstration to show convection currents in water as well as light refraction in a simple, visually appealing way.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • One 6- or 12-volt lantern battery or a suitable low-voltage battery eliminator or power supply
  • A pencil lead
  • A clear plastic or glass container with rectangular flat sides (A small aquarium works fine.)
  • A light source (Slide projectors, filmstrip projectors, or flashlights work well. A point-source flashlight, such as a MiniMaglite™ flashlight with the reflector removed, will produce sharp images.)
  • Food coring (in a small dropper bottle or an eyedropper)
  • A projection screen or white posterboard
  • 2 electrical lead wires with alligator clips at both ends (available at Radio Shack)
  • Tap water
  • Switch or dimmer switch (both available at hardware stores) or any sort of rheostat or variable resistor (optional)
  • Adult help

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Vision
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Vibration and Waves
    • Light and Optics
      • Reflection and Refraction
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation
  • California Department of Education
  • NEC Foundation of America