The Energy Transfer Multimedia Presentation

Using a Thermometer Animating the Experiment
Mixing Hot and Cold Water Temperature Changes in a Line Graph
The Energy Transfer Experiment Screen Capture 1
Diagramming the Experiment Screen Capture 2

Topic: Using A Thermometer

Time Frame:
1 50-minute class period

Learning Objectives:
The students will learn how to read a thermometer and measure temperature.

Previous Lessons:
The students have already begun learning the concept of energy transfer.

Voeabulary: thermometer, expand, contract, Celcius, C (as the symbol for Celcius), Farenheit, F (as the symbol for Farenheit)

Motivation:
Show the class a thermometer and elicit information about its properties (glass, red-colored liquid
[colored alcohol or mercury]), that it is used for measuring temperature, how the thermometer
works (the mercury expands when heated and contracts when cooled), how it is read, and how the
temperature is expressed (Farenheit and Celcius). Explain where each of these measurements is used and introduce how they are abbreviated.

Procedure:
-Motivation
-Hand out the thermometers;
-The students will state the range of temperatures measured by the thermometer;
-The students will predict which changes in temperature they will see when they hold the
thermometer by the palm of the hand

Sample Hypothesis:
"The mercury will contract because the thermometer is touching my hand and my hand is cold.".

-Students will test their hypothesis;
-Students will predict which changes they will see when they grip the thermometer, using the vocabulary introduced in today's lesson.

Sample Hypothesis:
("The mercury will expand because the thermometer is in my hand and my hand is warm.").

The students will test their hypothesis.
-The Class will discuss which of their predictions came true, and why.

Follow-up:
The students will use the thermometers to measure the transfer of energy between two film cans,
one filled with hot water and the other filled with cold water.

Materials: thermometers, science notebooks, pens

Standards:
-The student produces evidence that demonstrates understanding of the variation of heat and temperature.
-The student identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the
accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.
-The student works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.
-The student uses technology and tools (such as rulers, computers, balances, thermometers,
watches, magnifiers, and microscopes) to gather data and extend the senses.