Pie-Pan Convection

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It's difficult to see convection currents in any liquid that's undergoing a temperature change, but in this Exploratorium Science Snack, you can see the currents with the help of food coloring.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Aluminum pie pan
  • Hot plate or other heat source with variable settings
  • Different colors of water-based food coloring
  • Water
  • Liquid hand soap or shampoo with a pearlescent or metallic appearance (look for glycol stearate, glycol distearate, or glycerol stearate in the ingredients list)— try a variety as some brands will work better than others
  • Several coins of the same denomination (for example, 5 or 6 quarters)
  • Safety goggles

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Astronomy
    • Earth Processes
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
      • Heat Transfer
    • Chemistry
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Volume and Density

Other

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Access Rights:

  • Free access

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