Lesson 4: Where is Heat Coming From and Where is it Going?
Overview
In this investigation, students expand their understanding of thermal energy transfers by focusing on the directionality of heat transfers. Students collect temperature data from two interacting containers of water and from their results infer that heat is transferred from warmer matter to cooler matter until both substances reach the same temperature.
Key Ideas
- Energy can move from one place, object, or system to another.
- Substances heat or cool as a result of energy transfer.
Lesson Goals
Students will:
- Explain resulting temperatures in terms of energy transfer.
- Explain how heat moves from one place to another including how cooler materials can become warmer and vice versa.
- Describe conditions necessary for heat transfer; namely that heat is transferred 1) when there is a difference in temperatures between interacting matter and 2) from warmer matter to cooler matter until both reach the same temperature.
Lesson Resources
Download Lesson Plan (13 pages, 852 KB)
Student Handout 4.1: Temperature Changes
(524 KB)
Energy Flow Interactive Diagrams from FOSS (Requires preregistration and password.)
Graphing Tutorial
Online Extensions
Examine mood rings, mood beads, and other interesting “toys” that change color due to heat transfers (color changing paper, putty, mugs/glasses, foam, T-shirts)
Research the relationship between heat, weather, and climate by visitng NASA's Extreme Weather (Lesson Plan: Hurricanes as Heat Engines)
