Air | Experiment 2 - Convection Currents: How can rising air cause weather changes?
Experiment 2
Convection Currents: How can rising air cause weather changes?
Purpose/Hypothesis
Convection currents occur as rising gas carries heat upward and the cooler gas is brought downward. In the atmosphere, convection currents rise above warm areas on Earth's surface. These rising air currents produce differences in air pressure, which cause changes in the weather. Small convection currents can produce winds and rain. Larger convection currents can cause severe thunderstorms and hurricanes.
When convection occurs in an enclosed container, the currents help distribute the heat throughout the container. The entire process is driven by the differences in air density. In this experiment, you will create a convection current in a closed container and look at the air's actions. You will cool the air in one glass jar and warm the air in another. Visible smoke...
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