Abstract:
The purpose of our project is to engage students in learning about the transfer of thermal energy. Children will be able to perform experiments on how different materials conduct heat. The children will learn why certain materials are used to conduct heat and why others are used as insulators. They will achieve this by examining two sides of different materials, with one side touching a heat source and the other touching a thermometer. The students will observe how various materials enhance or inhibit heat conduction by observing the differences in temperature. The children will be able to see how heat, like electricity, can flow through objects, and how material affects heat flow.
Project materials:
How it works:
The experiment works by measuring the temperature on both sides of different materials. To measure the heat flow through each material. The two sides of temperatures will be compared. The material that has the least difference in temperature is the better heat conductor, while the one that has the biggest temperature difference is an insulator. The instructor/teacher should place a material on the platform, allow it to heat up for a minute and then perform the experiment. An information sheet with this background information is shown here.
The process for running the experiment is shown here.
During the experiment, the students will be asked questions to further enhance their understanding of the processes that occur. Question sheets can be distributed to the students that ask about the results of the experiments, shown here.
