Explaining convection
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain convection currents and describe how they can transfer energy.
Key learning points
- Particles in a gas move very quickly in random directions and have empty space between them.
- Heating a fluid increases the speed of particles and they push each other further apart.
- As a fluid is heated, it becomes less dense.
- Hotter fluid rises through cooler fluid because it is less dense.
Keywords
Density - The mass per unit volume of a substance; a less dense substance will float on top of a more dense one.
Fluid - The term used for a gas or liquid because these can flow as their particles can move around.
Random motion - Describes the movement of particles in a fluid that travels at a range of speeds in all directions.
Convection current - The movement of fluids caused by differences in density within the fluid, which allows energy to be transferred as the hotter fluid rises to cooler areas.
Common misconception
Pupils often have the misconception that heat is a substance that can flow.
Focus learning on how heating causes particles to move more quickly, and the effects that this can have on the density of a fluid.
Teacher tip
There are many different ways to demonstrate convection that can help pupils to understand convection. Challenge pupils to explain why the convection current occurs, and to explain this in their own words.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Gases and liquids can both flow. Because of this, they are both called .
Q2.The mass per unit volume of a substance, or object, is called its .
Q3.A is two or more atoms that are bonded together.
Q4.Which of the following statements describe the particles in any gas?
Q5.Which of the following describes what happens to the particles of a gas when the temperature of the gas rises?
Q6.A hot air balloon in air is staying at constant height. Which of the following statements about the average density of the balloon (including the basket, the balloon and the air inside) is correct?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following describe the motion of particles in a fluid?
Q2.Which of the following statements about the particles in air are correct?
Q3.Which of the following describes what happens to particles of a fluid when the temperature of a fluid decreases?
Q4.Which of the following statements explains why convection can happen in a fluid?
Q5.Sort the following statements into the correct order to explain how a hot air balloon can increase its height.
Q6.A convection current occurs in a room after a radiator is switched on. Sort the following statements into the correct order to describe and explain how the convection current forms.
To help you plan your 10 physics lesson on: Explaining convection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physics lesson on: Explaining convection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Particle explanations of density and pressure unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.