Grade Level/Subject / Middle School, Applied Earth Science & and General Earth Science classes
Unit / Meteorology
Enduring Understanding / Understanding heat transfer is applied to weather systems, winds, convection currents found in the earth’s mantle, the sun convection level, and ocean current systems.
SOL Objectives / ES.12The student will investigate and understand that energy transfer between the sun and Earth and its atmosphere drives weather and climate on Earth.
Title / Heat Transfer Inquiry Lab
Lesson Objective / For students to observe, record, interpret and analyze the transfer of heat by radiation, conduction and convection
Inquiry Level / 2
Materials Required / 3-6 thermometers, one large glass beaker, a flat strip of aluminum axp 1”x ¼” x 6 to 8” (or other suitable heat conducting material), a small low flow fan or suitable hand fan, 2 heat lamps. Lab report and question worksheet.

Heat Transfer Inquiry Lab60to 90 minutes

Suitability: Middle School, Applied Earth Science & and General Earth Science classes

Objective:For students to observe, record, interpret and analyze the transfer of heat by radiation, conduction and convection

Overview: Students will set up three stations and then observe and measure the temperature change, They will also analyze the method of transfer and apply it to everyday situations.

Equipment per team:6 thermometers, one large glass beaker, a flat strip of aluminum axp 1”x ¼” x 6 to 8” (or other suitable heat conducting material), a small low flow fan or suitable hand fan, 2 heat lamps. Lab report and question worksheet.

Set Up: Teams of 2,3 Set up one thermometer in the front of the room as a control.

Each station set up takes about 5 minutes and 10 to 15 minutes to record temperature change

A: Radiation. One thermometer is place in a glass beaker not touching the glass. A heat lamp is turned on and the temperature is recorded.

B: Conduction. Three thermometers are placed (both ends and middle) on a conducting material while a heat source is applied to one end. The temperature is recorded on all three thermometers in 30 sec intervals. (set heat lamp, Bunsen burner or other source to only apply to one end of material)

C: Convection. Set 2 thermometers upright each one meter from a heat source but in different directions. Students will fan the air towards one of the thermometers. Record both temperature readings on one minute intervals

Procedure:

  1. Explain each station and how they will be conducted
  2. Remind students of proper temperature measurement procedures (not touching, sighting)
  3. Hand out materials or explain rotation to stations
  4. Students conduct lab and take measurements
  5. Fill out lab report as a team then pick up worksheet for individual work and evaluation

Differentiation:

  1. Have lab stations set up ahead of class time, number of each station depends on class size and have teams rotate to each station.
  2. Have three stations, conduct labs with student participation as class wide demos
  3. Fill out the temperature data cart as a class on the smart board

Rubric: Data table 10 points, Graphs 15 points, Q&A 15 points

Heat Transfer Inquiry Lab

Name: ______Team partners: ______Date: ______Period: ___

Equipment per team: 6 thermometers, one large glass beaker, a flat strip of aluminum axp 1”x ¼” x axp8” (or other suitable heat conducting material), a small low flow fan or suitable hand fan, a heat lamp. Lab reportStudents in teams of 2 or 3.

Procedure:

Station A: Radiation.

  1. Place one thermometer inside the beaker, upright, facing the heat source, close but not touching the glass sides.
  2. Place the beaker about 50 cm away, from the heat lamp. Heat lamp should be positions to shine straight at, parallel to the table.
  3. Turn on heat lamp, record temperature at 1 minute interval for 10 to 15 minutes.

Station B. Conduction

  1. Place a conducting material on the table so that an inch over hangs the table edge.
  2. The heat should be placed to shine up onto or to heat the metal over the edge of the table, from about 4 inches away.
  3. Place a thermometer so that the bulb is touching the metal, one close to the beginning by the table edge, one in the middle and one towards the far end.
  4. Record starting temps, they should all be room temperature.
  5. Apply the heat source to the end and take temperature reading of all three at one minute intervals.

Station C. Convection

  1. Set 2 thermometers upright each one meter from identical heat sources
  2. Set up small low flow fan directing air flow across one heat source towards one thermometer
  3. Turn on heat lamps, fans and begin recording temperature at 1 minute intervals.

Data Table for Temperature Readings

Station A / Station B / Station C
Time / Start / Middle / End / With Fan / No Fan
Initial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Lab Write up

Make a line graph your findings. (Remember title, label axis, key, use color if possible)
Make three graphs, one for each station.OR Make one graph with all 6 data lines
Radiation– The transfer of energy (heat) by infrared radiation waves

  1. What happened to the temperature inside the large beaker? ______
  2. Was there any direct physical contact, molecules to molecules? ______
  3. Was there any substantial air flow to carry heated molecules? ______
  4. How did the heat travel through the air and glass? ______
  5. Give 2 examples of radiation heat transfer: ______
    Conduction- Molecules vibrate faster when energy (heat) is applied, transferred by touch.
  6. Explain what happened to the temperature along the metal bar? ______
  7. How did the heat, or energy, move along the length of the bar? ______
  8. For conduction to occur which medium does it require? Air/Water Flow or Solids
  9. Is this method of transfer able to move through vacuum of space? ______
  10. Give 2 examples ofconduction heat transfer: ______
    Convection – Energy being carried by fluid (air or water) flow from one place to another.
  11. What happened to the temperature where the fan was blowing? ______
  12. What carried the heat to the thermometer?______
  13. Heated air or water becomes less dense, which causes it to? Rise or Sink
  14. Is this method of transfer able to move through vacuum of space? ______
  15. Give 2 examples of convection heat transfer: ______