Convection is an interesting phenomenon which occurs in the air and in water. We often refer to a "convection current", which describes the movement of a warm fluid to carry energy from one location to another. In this activity you will have the opportunity to witness convection.

Convection occurs naturally in gases such as air, when there are regions of higher and lower temperature. The phenomenon of convection results in air flow from the hotter to the colder regions.

Body temperature is not constant throughout the body. For example, temperatures taken with oral and anal thermometers are not necessarily equal. Also, we tend to be colder at our extremities, which include toes and fingertips, because it's more difficult to maintain good blood circulation in these regions. Check this by touching your palms to your face, and then by touching your fingertips to the same part of your face.

So what does this have to do with recycling and conservation? Have you ever seen litter spiraling up into the air? It is being carried by convection currents. This is why it is important to cover trash and recycling containers. It is very easy for lightweight litter to be entrained in the air and dispersed. Litter is unsightly, unhealthy, and it threatens the quality of our natural environment.