Convection with Food Coloring

PIRA 4B20.10

The apparatus for this experiment consists of: a 1000 ml beaker supported on a ring, a propane torch supported by a tube clamp on a ring stand, a syringe with a long tip attached, and some food coloring.The water should be allowed to sit motionless before introducing the food coloring to minimize any currents in the beaker. The food coloring should be gently dispensed into the beaker, and the tip removed slowly to avoid mixing the food coloring with the water. The torch is then lit to heat the water in the beaker. The food coloring will cause the convection current to be plainly visible.