We did this in 6th grade. The energy changes the density of the wax as it heats up; the molecules expand out from each other, causing the wax to become liquid-like blobs. By convection, the heat moves the liquid-like wax blobs up. By radiation, the heat energy moves from the glass and out in electromagnetic waves. Lava Lamp Model of Convection As a substance gains heat energy (in the case of the lava lamp, heat is transferred from the hot light bulb to the lava), it becomes less dense than the surrounding liquid ), causing the substance to rise.
Additionally, what type of energy does a lava lamp use? Energy starts from the electricity flow, when you plug in a lava lamp. The energy becomes thermal energy to produce heat from the light at the bottom of the lava lamp. The thermal energy from the light is transferred to the lava and uses the thermal energy to warm up the lava lamp.
Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact (in this case, metal coil contact with the "lava" at the bottom of the lava lamp). Convection is the transfer of heat through movement such those in a flowing medium (such as liquids or gases, or in this case as the "lava" rises in a lava lamp).
How convection works in the mantle?
Mantle convection is the very slow creeping motion of Earth's solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior to the planet's surface. This hot added material cools down by conduction and convection of heat.
