Heat Energy
Physical Science
S3P1. Students will investigate how heat is produced and the effects of heating and cooling, and will understand a change
in temperature indicates a change in heat.
a. Categorize ways to produce heat energy such as burning, rubbing (friction), and mixing one thing with another.
b. Investigate how insulation affects heating and cooling.
c. Investigate the transfer of heat energy from the sun to various materials.
d. Use thermometers to measure the changes in temperatures of water samples (hot, warm, cold) over time.
Main Concepts About Heat
-Heat moves from hotter to cooler objects.
-As objects heat up, the molecules (particles) get larger and move quickly.
-As the object transfers its heat to cooler objects, the molecules become smaller and
move less.
-Heat continues to transfer from one object to another until
the two objects are the same temperature (equilibrium).
-Darker colors attract heat while lighter colors reflect heat.
thermal energy: the form of energy that causes molecules to vibrate and
move. The more thermal energy something has, the faster its particles move.
Thermal energy is produced by the sun, fire (burning fuel such as gas, wood, paper,
cloth, etc.), mixing chemicals, shaking objects, electricity, and friction.
temperature: the measurement of the heat energy (degrees)
thermometer: a tool used to measure how hot or cold something is. It measures
temperature.
Celsius: the metric temperature scale. This heat measurement is typically
used by scientist. Boiling point=100° C / Freezing point= 0° C
Fahrenheit: U.S. measuring standard for temperature- Boiling point= 212° F /
Freezing point= 32° F
heat: the transfer of thermal energy from hotter, faster- moving particles
to cooler, slower-moving particles.
equilibrium: when two objects or areas have reached the same temperature
friction: heat produced from one object rubbing against another (a force that acts
against motion causing objects to slow down)
conduction: the movement of heat between objects that are touching each other.
radiation: when thermal/heat energy moves without touching anything (empty space)
convection: heat transfer by a vertical (up/down) direction. This type of heat
transfer takes place in liquids and gases.
insulator: objects that slow down heat transfer
conductor: objects that speed up heat transfer
Sources of Heat Energy
Thermal energy is produced by the sun, fire (burning fuel such as
gas, wood, paper, cloth, etc.), mixing chemicals,
shaking liquids together, electricity, and friction.
Types of Conductors and Insulators
Conductors: Metals are the best conductors used to speed up the transfer of
heat. (Silver, Copper, Aluminum, iron, etc.)
Insulators: Non-metal objects are used to slow down the transfer of heat.
Different materials are better insulators than others. Good insulators
include: wood, cloth, Styrofoam, cork, and plastic. (Glass and air also
act as insulators.)
Thermometers
Each line is 2
degrees.
These thermometers are filled with red alcohol. The
alcohol’s molecules expand when heated and
Each line is
causes the liquid to go up.
1 degree.
The scale (temperature
markings) can be different on
thermometers. Pay attention to
the difference between each
marked line.
Each line is
10 degrees.