Today is rung 3 of 4 on this topic
Energy, heat transfer and insulation
Can do: Distinguishes conduction, convection and radiation, and designs a fair test of insulation.
Why it matters
Heat transfer explains houses, cooking, clothing and climate — and it's genuinely testable with two mugs and a thermometer.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Thinks cold moves into things rather than heat moving out, and calls a jumper "warm" as if it produces heat.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"Does a coat make you warm, or do something else? Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a wooden one at the same temperature?"
Solid looks like: The coat slows heat loss; metal conducts heat away from the hand faster.
The full activity for this topic · 30 minutes
Keep the Water Hot
- 1Fill identical containers with the same volume at the same starting temperature.
- 2Wrap each in a different material, leaving one bare as the control.
- 3Record temperature every five minutes for half an hour.
- 4Graph all the lines on one set of axes.
- 5Explain the winner in terms of trapped air and conduction, then predict the best combination and test it.
If it's too hard
Two containers, one insulated, four readings.
If it's too easy
Control for surface area and lid, and quantify the rate of cooling per minute.
Say this
"Cold isn't moving in. Heat is moving out. Which wrapping slowed it down most?"