Fireproof Balloon
Initial Publication Date: August 3, 2009
Summary
Student will discover that water is a good absorber of heat.
Learning Goals
Students will observe and use critical thinking skills to develop questions and synthesis ideas. Student will understand the process of conduction, kinetic motion theory, and energy transfer.
Context for Use
Whole class demonsration. Introductory lesson. 5 to 15 minutes Inquiry based lesson for kinetic motion theory and heat transfer by conduction.
Description and Teaching Materials
In this activity students will investigate water and discover it is a good absorber of heat. The teacher will inflate one balloon with air and in a second balloon insert about ¼ cup water and then inflate to the same size. With a lighter or match the teacher will hold a flame to the first balloon. Students will observe the balloon breaks very quickly as the flame touches the balloon.
Next, hold the flame directly under the water in the second balloon, allowing the flame to touch the balloon. Students will observe that the balloon does not burst and may even see black soot on the balloon.
It takes 10 times the amount of heat to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree C than it does to raise the temperature of 1 gram of iron 1 degree C.
Next, hold the flame directly under the water in the second balloon, allowing the flame to touch the balloon. Students will observe that the balloon does not burst and may even see black soot on the balloon.
It takes 10 times the amount of heat to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree C than it does to raise the temperature of 1 gram of iron 1 degree C.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Equipment needed, 2 balloons, lighter or matches, water. Conduct this demonstration over a sink or basin. This is a great lesson for inquiry.
Assessment
Use this demonstration as an essay question on a unit test to test the students understanding.
Standards
2. Energy can be transformed within a system or transferred to other systems or the environment.
6.2.3.2.3 Describe how energy is transferred in conduction, convection and radiation.
2. Substances can undergo physical changes which do not change the composition or the total mass of the substance in a closed system.
6.2.1.2.3 Use the relationship between heat and the motion and arrangement of particles in solids, liquids and gases to explain melting, freezing, boiling and evaporation.
6.2.3.2.3 Describe how energy is transferred in conduction, convection and radiation.
2. Substances can undergo physical changes which do not change the composition or the total mass of the substance in a closed system.
6.2.1.2.3 Use the relationship between heat and the motion and arrangement of particles in solids, liquids and gases to explain melting, freezing, boiling and evaporation.