Lesson 2 of 8 · Thermodynamics
Experiment⭐ 30 XPConduction, Convection and Radiation
Thermodynamics.
🎯 Your mission
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
⚡ The twist
Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.
Mind = Blown
🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.
What You'll Learn
Conduction passes energy through a solid by particle collisions and free electrons. Convection carries it in a fluid as warmer, less dense regions rise. Radiation needs no medium at all — it is infrared electromagnetic waves, which is how the Sun heats Earth across empty space.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- metal rod
- plastic rod
- wax
- pins
- beaker
- potassium permanganate
- two cans
- thermometer
Safety First
- Potassium permanganate stains skin and clothing — wear gloves and goggles.
- Handle hot rods and cans with tongs or a cloth.
Steps
Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.
Set up three tests: a metal and a plastic rod with wax-stuck pins, a beaker of water with a potassium permanganate crystal at one corner, and a matt black and a shiny can of hot water. Record which transfer dominates in each.
Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.
Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2Which transfer method needs no medium?
Where you see this in real life
This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.
For the dinner table
“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Ready?
Conduction, Convection and Radiation
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
Full screen — no distractions
Checkout complete lesson on Thermodynamics for 9th Grade
Get the full Thermodynamics track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.