How About An Experiment?

What Does Hot Air Do?
(From our Indian School District Weather Unit Kit.)

OBJECTIVE:
Students will be able to construct a spiral to determine that warm air rises.

HYPOTHESIS:
Students make a hypothesis as to what they think will happen when the foil is placed above a lighted candle and heated.

MATERIALS LIST:

  • Aluminum pie pans for each team of students
  • Candles
  • String
  • Rulers
  • Aluminum foil
PROCEDURE:

1. Have students make a spiral pattern with a diameter of approximately 6" on a piece of paper. Put the paper on top of the foil and trace the lines on to the foil. Press hard. Then cut along the lines of the foil.

2. Tie a piece of string on the end of the ruler placed between some books on their desks. Tape the other end to the center of the spiral. Stand the candle in a pie pan under the foil.

RESULTS:
Students record what happened during the experiment.

CONCLUSION:
Students discuss results. Was their prediction right or wrong? Why or why not? Discuss why the foil spun. The hot air rose and caused the spiral foil to move as it was moving upward.

WORKSHEET

Name: ______________________________________

 

What Does Hot Air Do?

 

Question: What does hot air do?

 

Hypothesis: (What is your best guess for the question above?)

 

Materials List: (List all items needed to complete this experiment.)

 

Procedure: (List all steps you must follow in order to complete the experiment.)

 

Results: (List all information/observations you made during the experiment.)

 

Conclusion: (Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?)