Cold And Warm Air Masses On The Move

Activity: Watching cold air and warm air move.

[Candles and Fridge]

Stand in front of a vertical-style freezer and open the door! Wait a few moments and then hold a burning candle close to the top of the open freezer and another close to the bottom. Stay as still as possible to avoid creating drafts of air resulting from your movement. Observe which way the flame leans near the top of the door opening and near the bottom.

Sketch the freezer set-up or print this page. Draw arrows indicating the direction of airflow. Label "warm" and "cold" air.

Answer these questions about which direction the air is moving.

Name:             
School:          
Teacher:
  1. Where is the air moving into the freezer?


  2. Is the air moving into the freezer warm or cold? How do you know?


  3. Where is the air moving out of the freezer?


  4. Is the air moving out of the freezer warm or cold? How do you know?


  5. Summarize what you know about the movement of warm and cold air.



Return to the page asking "Why Did The Air Turn Cold?"

[Live from Earth & Mars]__________________________________________________