A lava lamp works by using convection to create the mesmerizing movement of the "lava."
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Heat Source: A light bulb at the base of the lamp heats the bottom.
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Density Changes: The heat warms the wax mixture at the bottom of the glass container. As the wax heats up, it expands and becomes less dense than the surrounding liquid.
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Rising Wax: Because the heated wax is less dense, it rises to the top of the lamp.
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Cooling and Sinking: As the wax reaches the top, it moves away from the heat source and begins to cool. As it cools, it becomes denser again.
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The Cycle Continues: The denser, cooled wax then sinks back down to the bottom of the lamp, where it is reheated, and the cycle repeats. This continuous cycle of heating, rising, cooling, and sinking creates the flowing, blob-like motion that is characteristic of a lava lamp, and it is a perfect visual demonstration of convection currents.
