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Tectonic PlatesActivity for Kids

Convection Model DIY

Duration: 15-30 min
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $0 to $10

Use shampoo and water to show how fluids can circulate by convection!

Visit The Full Lesson Download Instructions as PDF

Material List

1Cup of pearlized soap or shampoo
3Cups of water
1Bowl
1Pan
1Hot plate
1Spoon
1Food coloring

Instructions

1Mix 3 cups of water, 1 cup of shampoo, and 20 drops of food coloring into a bowl.
2Blow on the surface to confirm there are swirls caused by the mica.
3Pour the mixture into a pan and begin heating using the hot plate. Do not boil.
4Watch what happens.
Warning:Adult supervision is needed when heating.

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How It Works

As the liquid is heated on the bottom, it becomes less dense and rises to the top. As it cools, it becomes more dense and sinks back down to the bottom. The mica crystals in the shampoo make the movement easy to see. This model is similar to the convection that occurs in Earth’s mantle, which contributes to tectonic plate movements. The major difference is that the Earth’s mantle is a solid that moves very slowly over years, not seconds like this model.