In this experiment a radial temperature gradient will be created using a metal ice bath
placed inside the tank. This causes the warm outer layer of water to flow inwards towards the icebath
and become cold, thus starting a circulation pattern within the tank. This flow is analogous
to the meridional circulation in Tropics known as Hadley Circulation.
Non-rotating Temperature Gradient
Time elapsed = 54 minutes
To run this experiment
1. Fill the tank to 12 cm with water
2. Fill the metal cylinder with ice and water
3. Put the PVC pipe weight in the cylinder to stabilize it
4. Place the cylinder towards the center inside the tank
6. Leave the tank stationary and add Potassium Permangante
Rotating Tank with Temperature Gradient
To Run this Experiment
1. Duplicate the previous experient steps 1-4 of previous experiment.
2. Use the 5/16 inch drill bit as the wheel to achieve a rotation of about 1 min. and 45 seconds
3. Allow a circulation to develop for about 20 minutes
4. Drop in a few crystals of potassium permanganate and notice
the lateral motion of the dye trail
5. Inject blue dye into the water
The crystals at the bottom of the tank have streaked outwards and have been directed
to the right. This demonstrates the flow in the bottom layer of the tank which is
carrying cold water away from the ice bath. The surface layer of water travels
towards the ice bath completing the circulation.
