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American Museum of Natural History

Underwater Plume

underwater-plume

With the help of three friends, you can create your own mini underwater geyser. All you'll need is a soda bottle, a baby food jar, aluminum foil, food coloring, and a few more household supplies.


Underwater Plume



  • More About This Resource...

    • This experiment uses inexpensive and easy-to-find items to demonstrate how hot water behaves in a body of cold water. Working in groups of four, students can complete the experiment in a single class period. The printable six-page handout includes:

      • A series of inquiry-based questions to get students thinking about how cold and hot air and water interact.
      • Detailed experiment directions.
      • A worksheet that helps students use the experiment results to gain a deeper understanding of how knowledge of what creates underwater geysers can be used to detect deep sea vents.

    • Completion Time

      Approximately 1 period

    • Topic

      Earth Science

    • Subtopic

      Oceans

    • Subtopic

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades 5-8:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

      Grades 9-12:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

    • Learning Standard

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades 5-8:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

      Grades 9-12:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: