How does heat move?

Student Sheet 

Teacher Answers 

Estimated class Time:

Two 40-minute class periods

Question:

How does heat move?

Materials:

• Ice cubes, one per block
• Ice Melting Blocks set; one per pair or group (option to buy here)
• O-ring for each block
• Paper towels
• Thermometers (infrared work best); one per group
• Rulers; one per group
• Metric balance; one per group

Lesson Level Learning Objectives:

• MS-PS3-5 Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object. 

Phenomenon:

• Students investigate with the ice melting blocks and interpret data in order to begin understanding conductors, insulators, and thermal equilibrium. 

What we Figured Out: 

• Students learn that Block A is a conductor which means a material through which heat travels easily, such as metal (Block A is aluminum.).
• Students learn that Block B is an insulator which means a material through which heat does not travel through easily, such as plastic.
• Students also learn about heat transfer and thermal equilibrium.
• Heat transfer - Heat will move from warmer areas to cooler areas.
• Thermal Equilibrium - When thermal energy moves from a hot area to a cooler area until it is the same temperature.

Questions we still have:

• Can we control where heat travels:
• How can we control how heat moves?
• How does this relate to incubators?

Infant Incubator Homepage