Earth Science Convection Lab Conclusion?

Question

I'm doing a lab write up. The lab was about convection and we put cold water in a small vial and placed that in a big beaker of hot water and then the opposite. We have to write a conclusion about what we learned and my teacher is very picky. has anyone ever done this lab or one similar and can help?

Answer 1

Hi Joanna,

follow the directions on this page and at the end are the questions which will help you know what to look for in your observation, it is only a two page which is easy to follow. If I can do it you can definatly do it. ;-)
http://lhs.lps.org/staff/sputnam/AdvancedChem/Labs/ChlorophyllLab.pdf

be careful of the extreme temperatures while using the glass vials and beakers. Glass can break when exposed to extreme temperatures, some glass has low thermal shock tolerance. most lab realated vials and beakers are made of durable glass, but you should always be careful in every experament and observation. Gloves and goggles at all times and aprin as well.

Good Luck and Happy New Year!

If you have any questions I am accessible by e-mail through my profile just click my avatar and see my profile I will do my best to help you.


extra stuff if interested:
Here are some technichal tips you can through at your teacher that may knock her socks off about glass and can possibly explain why it reacts towards different temperatures.

Glass is an amorphous solid which means its atoms are randomly oriented. Whereas, a crystalline material may contain the exact same type and quantity of atoms as glass, but the atoms are ordered in rigid, well-defined patterns. Fused quartz glass vs. crystalline quartz is a good example of the same type of atoms (SiO2) structured in such a way that one orientation forms a glass and another forms a crystal.

all glasses, by definition, are always a fluid. The viscosity of glass is determined by the temperature of the glass; even at room temperature glass is moving, albeit very slowly. When product tolerances are very tight and temperatures are elevated, a crystalline material is superior to glass because it will maintain its shape at any temperature below the melting point. Conversely, glass will change shape over time, regardless of the melting point and especially at elevated temperatures.

you should also tell your teacher that it depends on the type of glass. if it is pyrus glass because it does not expand or contract in a wide range of temperatures, it will not shatter to thermal shock.