Final answer:
The behavior of food coloring in cool and heated water is caused by the process of convection and differences in density due to temperature variations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior of the food coloring in the cool and heated water can be explained by the process of convection and the difference in density caused by temperature variations.
In the cool water, the food coloring remains at the bottom because cool water is denser and sinks. In the heated water, the food coloring rises to the top initially as the heated water expands and becomes less dense. It then moves to the sides of the container due to the formation of convection currents, where the hotter, less dense water rises and the cooler, denser water sinks.
These differences in density and the movement of heat through the water create a cycle of rising and sinking currents, known as convection. This process keeps repeating, allowing the food coloring to move throughout the container.