6th grade Student Worksheet
Heat Convection and Mathematical Expressions Activity
Private Think Time: What does happen when water is heated in the microwave? What
does happen when ice is added to water?
Discuss with a Partner: How can you investigate this process? How can you test your
hypothesis?
Part I of the Investigation:
1. Measure 200 ml of water and place in microwave safe container. Measure its initial
room temperature. Heat the water in the microwave for 1 minute. Record
temperature after heating time.
2. Repeat same process as step no. 1; but double the heating time.
3. Repeat same process as step no. 1; but increase the heating time by adding 2 more
minutes.
4. Repeat same process as step no. 1; but increase the heating time by adding 3
additional minutes.
5. Complete table below and calculate the change in temperature by subtracting the
initial temperature from the final temperature.
What do these procedural phrases mean in mathematical terms? Write the expressions:
Direction
Expression
double the heating time
increase the heating time by adding 2 more minutes
increase the heating time by adding 3 additional minutes
Subtracting the initial temperature from the final
temperature
Conduct Investigation and collect data:
Trial
Water Heating
Initial
Final
Change in
Amount
Time
Temperature Temperature Temperature
1
2
3
4
200 ml
200 ml
200 ml
200 ml
1 min
What is the constant(s) in this investigation?
What is the variable(s) in this investigation?
Analyze data collected. What will happen after warming the water in the microwave for 7
min? Use evidence from data collected to support your answer.
Part II of the Investigation:
1. Measure 200 ml of water and place in container. Record its initial room
temperature. Add 5 ice cubes and wait 2 minutes. Record temperature.
2. Repeat same process as step no. 1; but increase the number of ice cubes by the
product of the original number and 2.
3. Repeat same process as step no. 1; but increase the number of ice cubes by having 3
times the original amount.
4. Repeat same process as step no. 1; but increase the number of ice cubes by adding 3
times more to the original amount.
5. Complete table below. The final temperature minus the initial temperature will give
you the temperature change.
What do these procedural phrases mean in mathematical terms? Write the expressions:
Direction
product of the original number and 2
3 times the original amount
adding 3 times more to the original amount
final temperature minus the initial temperature
Expression
Conduct Investigation and collect data:
Trial
Water Number of
Initial
Final
Change in
Amount Ice cube Temperature Temperature Temperature
1
2
3
4
200 ml
200 ml
200 ml
200 ml
5
What is the constant(s) in this investigation?
What is the variable(s) in this investigation?
Analyze data collected. What will happen after adding 35 ice cubes to the water? Use
evidence from data collected to support your answer.
Part III of the Investigation:
What will happen when very hot water is placed near very cold water? What will happen to
the air surrounding both water containers?
1. Warm up 200 ml of water in a microwave for 4 minutes. Add heated water to a
container with 200 ml of room temperature water.
2. Place 35 ice cubes to a container with 200 ml of room temperature water.
3. Locate both containers side by side.
4. Lit an incense stick and place between the two containers. Observe and discuss your
findings.
6th grade MSP Sep 2015- CMCSS Training