4Energy-5

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Outcomes

  • Pupils understand that thermal energy is transferred in three ways: conduction, convection
  • Pupils understand the process of evaporation as a decrease in thermal energy.

Specification References

4.6 recall that energy transfer may take place by conduction, convection and radiation

Starter

Main Body of Lesson

  • Emphasise to pupils that "cold" doesn't move - thermal energy always moves from higher concentration (hot objects) to lower concentration (cold objects). You can draw parallels with biological examples that they may be familiar with (e.g. osmosis).
  • Explain the processes of conduction, convection and radiation using heat transfers circus.
  • Show pupils demonstrations of conduction, convection and radiation.
  • Explain the process of evaporation as a decrease in average kinetic energy.

Practicals/Demonstrations

Conduction demonstrations

  • Wood/aluminium plates (identical in appearance) with ice cubes - one melts very quickly, one very slowly.
  • Rods of different metals (e.g. copper, aluminium) with embedded thermochromic thermometers (or alternatively, covered in wax) can show the progress of conduction.

Convection demonstrations

  • Convection tubes; one with potassium permanganate and spirit burner; one with water and glitter.
  • Smaller convection tube with can be "operated" by heat from a pupil's hand.

Plenary

Homework

Additional Information

Resources Required

Skills Addressed

Safety/Hazards