Transferring Heat Lab
Summary
In this physical science lab, students will calculate the amount of heat gained by water / lost by a metal.
CollapseLearning Goals
*Students will understand the concept of heat transfer.
*Students will recognize that differ substances transfer heat at a different rate.
*Students will recognize that differ substances transfer heat at a different rate.
Context for Use
This lab can be modified so it takes an entire class period or ten to fifteen minutes. The equipment needed includes: heat source (hot plate or burner), Styrofoam cup, beaker, thermometer, and metal samples. The students should know what "specific heat" is, although this lab can be used as an introduction to the concept. Basic math/algebra skills are necessary. It is very easily adaptable.
Description and Teaching Materials
*This activity may be modified so students determine the identity of an unknown metal instead of the heat gained by the water. Specific Heat Lab (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 13kB Aug25 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
*Make sure all students are familiar with moving variables around an equation if you ask them to calculate the specific heat of the metal.
Assessment
*All students complete the lab handout and are quizzed upon the material - they will be given artificial numbers and are asked to calculate the specific heat or heat lost by each sample.
Standards
9P.2.3.4.1