The Heat is On!

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits


• Teacher Page

Process

Part 1

Working in groups of two, visit the following two web pages:

1. http://www.clavius.org/heatxfer.html
   
   
2. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Energy/heat_transfer_insulate.html

Both you and your partner need to read the information on each web page. Do not go to other pages within the sites. Read only the information contained on these two pages. After you have completed the readings, answer the questions that follow in Part 2.

Part 2

Now that you have read the information from both web pages regarding heat transfer, answer the following questions. If you need to refer back to the web pages, here are their links:

• http://www.clavius.org/heatxfer.html
  
  
• http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Energy/heat_transfer_insulate.html

1. What is heat?
   
   
2. Is it possible for different areas of a object to have different heat levels? If so, explain the behavior of the molecules in the colder area and the hotter area.
   
   
3. How does heat transfer from one object to another?
   
   
4. What is the difference between conductive heat transfer and convective heat transfer? Give one example of each.
   
   
5. Are solids better heat conductors than liquids or gases? Why / Why not?
   
   
6. Can object transfer heat between each other without even touching? How?
   
   
7. How do you know if an object is receiving more heat than it is passing on, receiving less heat than it is passing on, or receiving and passing on the same amount?
   
   
8. If conductors allow heat to pass readily, what do insulators do?
   
   
9. What is the point of insulating?
   
   
10. Name the type of heat transfer occurring in each of the following images:

Part 3

Now that you are very familiar with the three types of heat transfer, let's see how you can apply this knowledge to your every day life.

The following links contain information on improving energy efficiency in your home. Your task is to visit these sites and, with your partner, make a list of things that you can do to increase the energy efficiency in your own home. Make this list applicable to your personal life. Think about the things you use every day. Think about your household chores. How can you have a positive impact on improving the energy efficiency of your home?

1. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Energy/heat_transfer_insulate.html
• Just above the article on understanding heat transfer and insulation, there is a drop-down box that says "Save Energy Room by Room..." Choose 7 of the 9 rooms and make a list of at least one thing that you can do to personally save energy.
  
  
2. http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/cool_change/tool/atHome.html
• This is an interactive home that allows you to visit various rooms in a typical home. Click on each room to learn what you can do to cut energy costs. Then, make a list of ten things that you can do to personally save energy.