What’s in the motion?
8.10A Inquiry Lab
This lab should provide you with valuable
insight in to a convection cell.
Supplies:
Ruler
glitter
250mL beaker
ice cold water
hot plate
thermometers
the
250 mL
timer
goggles
the
hot mitt/tongs
Procedure:
1.
Pour ½ cm of glitter in to the bottom of
beaker.
2. Next, pour 200 mL of tap water(H2O) into
beaker.
3. Place the beaker on the hot plate.
4. We will take the initial temperature of the water and record it. Each
time you take the temperature you will use two thermometers one
just below the surface and the other as close to the bottom without
touching the beaker.
5. You will keep the thermometers in the H2O for 15 seconds before
recording the temperature. Take the thermometers out each time.
6. Turn on the hot plate to medium or medium-high heat.
7.
Record temperatures from both thermometers every minute for 10
minutes.
8. Turn off hot plate and answer questions while allowing materials to cool
down. Make an observation after letting it cool for 10-15 minutes.
9. Remove beaker using tongs. Discard of sparkle water into the waste
beaker, rinse out your beaker, and leave lab station clean and dry.
Data Collection:
Time
0m
1m
Temp
top
Temp
bottom
Analysis:
1. Using the beaker below,
illustrate what the
inquiry lab showed. use
color.
2. How does a convection
current move?
2m
3m
4m
5m
6m
7m
8m
9m
10m
3. Discuss how this concept
is directly related to air
movement/water
movement?