Physics – 2.3.2 Convection | e-Consult

Experiment: Convection in Water

Materials Needed:

• A clear, tall beaker or cylinder
• Water
• A hot plate or Bunsen burner
• A thermometer
• A ruler or measuring tape
• A marker pen

Procedure:

1. Fill the beaker with water, marking the initial water level with a marker pen.
2. Place the beaker on the hot plate (or position it safely under the Bunsen burner).
3. Allow the water to heat up for a few minutes.
4. Carefully insert the thermometer into the water, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom or sides of the beaker.
5. Observe the water carefully for several minutes.

Observations:

As the water heats up, you should observe the following:

• The water near the bottom of the beaker will begin to warm.
• The warmer water will become less dense and start to rise.
• As the warm water rises, it will eventually reach the top of the beaker.
• The cooler, denser water from the top will sink to the bottom to be heated.
• You should observe a circular motion as the warm water rises and the cool water sinks, creating a convection current.
• The thermometer reading will increase as the water heats up and then stabilize when the water reaches a relatively constant temperature.