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EAL Nexus resource
Heat loss experiment
Subject(s):
Age
group(s):
Topic:
Science
12-14, 15-16
Heat and temperature
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2015
Source | This resource was originally developed by Alison Fisher and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.
An experiment to see whether
heat is lost more quickly from
a black or a silver test tube.
How to write up a science
experiment
Method
 I made a cup of tea at break. What did I
do?
First, I filled the kettle with water and
switched it on. Then I put a teabag into a
mug. I waited until the kettle boiled and
then I poured the water into the mug. I
stirred the tea and let it stand for 3 minutes.
After that, I removed the teabag. Finally, I
added some milk.
Work with a partner to change the
descriptions into instructions.
First, I filled
Then,Iput
fill
put
the kettle with a teabag
water and
into a mug.
switched
……………
switch it
on.
I waited
Wait until the
kettle boiled
boils and
then I poured
pour the
water into the
mug.
Work out instructions for these
illustrations with a partner.
Stir the tea
and let it
stand for
three
minutes.
After that,
remove
the teabag.
Finally, add
some milk.
let it stand
remove
stir
finally
after that
add
Your experiment
 You are going to find out whether water cools
more quickly in a black or silver test tube.
 First, you need to write your prediction. Copy
the phrase below and choose either the black or
the silver test tube.
I think the water will cool more quickly in the
black/silver test tube.
 Next, you need to write an equipment list.
Equipment you will need
1
2
4
5
Hot water from
a kettle
Test tubes –
one black, one
silver
Test tube rack
3
Stopwatch
6
Thermometer
Measuring
cylinder
What are the variables in your
experiment?
 The independent variable is what you are going
to change.
 The dependent variable is what you are going to
measure.
 The control is what stays the same.
The temperature of the water
The quantity of water
The colour of the tube
Write instructions for what you
need to do in this experiment
Verbs to help you:
 Pour
 Measure
 Record
 Put
 Start
Write instructions for each
illustration
Measure
………………
………………
…… into a
………………
………………
Pour
into
…………
…………
…...........
Put a ………..
…………………
……………and
record ……….
………………….
Start the …..
…………… and
record …….
………………….
every ………..
………………….
Write instructions for each
illustration
Measure …
ml of boiling
water into a
measuring
cylinder.
Pour
into the
black
test
tube.
Put a
thermometer
into the test
tube and
record the
temperature.
Start the stop
watch and
record the
temperature
every …
seconds.
Write instructions for each
illustration
Repeat with
………………
……………...
Write instructions for each
illustration
Repeat with
the silver
test tube.
Risk assessment
 What is the danger in the experiment ?
 What can it cause?
 What precautions do you need to take?
Discuss the answers to these questions with
your partner using full sentences.
…………. is
dangerous.
It can
cause
………….
Be careful
………….
when
………….. must be
worn.
Risk assessment
Boiling water is dangerous and can
cause scalding, so safety glasses
must be worn. It is important to
pour the water very carefully.
Conclusion
You need to say what happened and why.
First, complete these phrases:
 The water temperature measured …°C at the
beginning of the experiment. The final
temperature in the black test tube was …°C and
…°C in the silver test tube.
 The water cooled more quickly in the …………..
test tube.
Conclusion
Suggest reasons for your results.
You will need to use the following information.
 Infra-red radiation is an electromagnetic wave.
 Radiation heats objects up because it makes the
molecules move faster.
 Black surfaces are the best absorbers of heat
radiation.
 Silver surfaces reflect heat better.