Modeling Air Convection Currents and High and Low Pressure Systems
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In this lab I have students observe what happens to water, which represents air, warms up and what happens to water as it cools down. Using a hot plate, a large glass cake pan, a bag of ice and food coloring can easily demonstrate how wind is formed. The demonstration can also be used in topics of high/low pressure, warm and cold fronts, mantle convection if you would like. The assignment, however, is for high and low pressure systems and wind.
To see what the experiment looks like you can watch it on YouTube. https://youtu.be/ZIMnZwR4aWE
Students will diagram the model, answer a few questions, and discuss what doldrums are at the end of the lab.
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