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: Mixing Hot and Cold Water


Learning Objectives:
The students will find the results of what happens to the temperature of water if an equal amount
of hot and cold water is mixed.

Previous Lessons: The students have learned how to use and read a mercury thermometer. They have learned how temperature is measure (celcius and farenheit).

Materials:
thermometers, 2 film cans, I water flask, science notebook, pens, paper towels

Vocabulary: quantity, hypothesis, evidence

Motivation: Show the class the tools to be used in the experiment. Elicit hypotheses from the students: what will be the evidence of energy transfer (temperature changes: energy transferred from the hot to the cold water, the colored alcohol will expand/contract)?

Procedure:
-Motivation
-Write a hypothesis to the learning objective (sample hypothesis: I think that the water will get warmer.");
-Hand out two film cans to each student;
-Pour hot water into one film can and cold water into the other film can; repeat this process for each student;
-The students will take the temperature of the can of cold water and the can of hot water; they will record the temperatures in their science notebooks;
-The students will mix equal quantities of hot and cold water into a single container;
-The students will measure the temperature and record the changes in their science notebooks;
-The students will hypothesize about mixing unequal quantities of hot and cold water; (sample hypothesis below)
-The students will mix the unequal quantities of hot and cold water and record the results in their science notebooks;
-Discuss the pattern seen among the class' results (regarding the temperature of the mixtures, its
average temperature, its middle temperature);
-Discuss the variables which affect the temperature of the mixture (the hot water might have
cooled a little by the time it was handed out to their table, some of the water might have spilled,
some of the thermometers might be broken).

sample data (mixing equal amounts of hot and cold water)

sample hypothesis (mixing unequal amounts of hot and cold water)
sample data

 

Follow-up:
The students will experiment with energy transfer. They will put a hot water film can inside a
cold water film can and record the energy transfer from one to the other.

Standards:
-- The student produces evidence that demonstrates understanding of Light, heat, electricity,
and magnetism, such as the variation of heat and temperature; how light travels in a straight line
until it strikes an object or how electrical circuits work.
-- The student produces evidence that demonstrates understanding of Big ideas and unifying
concepts, such as order and organization; models, form and function; change and constancy; and
cause and effect.
-- The student uses technology and tools (such as rulers, computers, balances, thermometers,
watches, magnifiers, and microscopes) to gather data and extend the senses.
-- The student collects and analyzes data using concepts and techniques in Mathematics
Standard 4, such as average, data displays, graphing, variability, and sampling.
-- The student represents data and results in multiple ways, such as numbers, tables, and
graphs; drawings, diagrams, and artwork; and technical and creative writing.
-- The student uses facts to support conclusions.
-- The student critiques written and oral explanations, and uses data to resolve disagreements.