This Convection in Water Apparatus is a demonstration of buoyancy-driven convection, that is the response of a fluid to the addition of heat energy. The apparatus is composed of a rectangular shaped glass tube with a circular cross section made from Borosilicate glass. Convection currents are generated when the tube is gently warmed on one of the bottom corners. As the water heats it expands and rises up the side of the arm where it is being heated, and is replaced by water in the parallel arm which will create a circular convection pattern. The addition of food colouring to the water allows us to easily view the motion of the water during the convection.
This is a similar concept to when water is heated on a bunsen burner or stove top. When the water is heated, the water molecules at the bottom expand and become less dense and therefore lighter causing them to rise up to the top, whilst the cooler, unheated molecules sink to replace the molecules that were heated. The cooler molecules that are now at the bottom of the container now get heated and the process is repeated.
Caution: To avoid burns, this apparatus is designed for mounting on a retort stand using a clamp, both of which are not included.Dimensions Size: 200x150mmMaterial: Borosilicate glassUnits: Each