JoinMiddle School | Daily Do
How do chimneys form at black smoker hydrothermal vents?
NOAA Ocean Exploration Student Investigation
Lesson Overview
In today's Daily Do, students investigate a chemical reaction between two clear liquids and use patterns as a thinking tool to develop science ideas they need to explain how black smoker chimneys form at hydrothermal vents (phenomenon).
You can also access the How do chimneys form at black smoker hydrothermal vents? lesson from the NOAA Ocean Exploration website under the title Investigation: How Black Smoker Vent Chimneys Form.
Materials
Individual Student Materials
Vent Chimney Student Activity Sheet
Group Materials for Hands-On Investigation
• (2) 250-mL beakers
• Plastic 1-mL transfer pipette
• 400 mL water, distilled if available
• Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)
• Sodium carbonate (washing soda)
• Plastic spoons or laboratory spatulas and stirring rods
• Filter paper (optional)
• Funnel (optional)
Acknowledgments
This is a NOAA Ocean Exploration Student Investigation. Additional lessons and other educational resources about the deep sea can be found on the NOAA Ocean Exploration website.
Created in cooperation with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation under federal award NA19OAR0110405 for the Deep Ocean Education Project.