Science

Convection –noun Physics. the transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of the heated parts of a liquid or gas.

We've been studying heat energy and how it moves using conduction and convection. Here's an experiment we did to illustrate convection. Start with a bottle of really hot water and a bottle of really cold water. Put some food coloring in the hot water so you can see it moving through the cold water. Cover the cold water bottle with a card. Upend the cold water bottle onto the hot water (this is the hard part!). Slide the card out and watch the hot water rush up into the cold water. The boys were suitably impressed (but I doubt they can tell you what convection is. LOL).

We started with blue hot water on the bottom and clear water on top. Here you see the clear water has turned blue.




The boys were impressed with the mixing water so they suggested we use two primary colors so they would mix and make a new color. Here you see the blue on the bottom mixing with yellow on top to make green. You can also see the yellow water that spilled on the counter. I told you it's hard to turn a bottle of water upside down without spilling!


Here's the boys posing with the two bottles after they've mixed further and are both totally green. Yes, two of the three of them are still wearing pajamas. And, yes, Ryan is eating lunch while his brothers are still in their pjs.