Name:

Heat Transfer Activity

Introduction
Heat is the transfer of thermal energy. Thermal energy exists when the atoms or
molecules in a substance are in motion and vibrate. The atoms possess kinetic energy,
which creates thermal energy. The amount of thermal energy an object has is the sum
of the kinetic energy of all of the particles. Thats why a bathtub of water has more
thermal energy than a sink of water when the water is the same temperature in both. If
thermal energy is lost, these vibrations slow down. If thermal energy is gained, these
vibrations increase. If enough thermal energy is added to a substance, the vibrations
may even cause a solid material to lose its form and melt, or a liquid substance to
evaporate, or a gaseous substance to expand as the distance between particles
increases. Thermal energy can be transferred from one place to another when a
temperature difference exists. Heat transfer always occurs from the direction of the
higher temperature to the cooler temperature. Heat transfer in a bathtub occurs from
the hot water to the cooler air, floor, tub sides, and person in the water.
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy that the particles in a
substance have at a particular location. Many scales are used to measure temperature,
such as Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin. A cup of boiling water may have a higher
temperature than a bathtub of warm water because the average kinetic energy of the
particles is higher. However, if you were to sum up the kinetic energy of all of the water
molecules in the tub, it would have a higher total thermal energy. Temperature is like
counting the money one person in a room has in their pocket. Thermal energy is like
counting the money that everyone in the room has and adding it all up. Heat transfer
occurs when thermal energy is transferred.

Question: Is the temperature of pop affected by the type of material the can is
wrapped within?

Hypothesis:

Circle:

YES

or

NO

Directions: Materials- 6 pop cans, 1 cotton sock, 1 wool sock, aluminum foil, paper towel,
plastic wrap, 6 thermometers, 1 piece of graph paper per student
1) Measure the temperature of each pop can at the beginning of class. Record this in your
data table below as the Temperature at Time 1. Please make sure to carefully read the
thermometer located inside each pop can. Be careful to only touch the thermometer at
the top.
2) You will now rate the materials in the data table from 1-6. These ratings will be based on
your prediction of which ones you think will have the lowest temperature change and
which ones will have the highest temperature change; 1 having the lowest temperature
change and 6 having the highest temperature change.
3) Begin constructing your graph. An example will be shown on the projector for you to see.
Use this example to help you to construct and label your graph. As soon as your graph is
constructed and labeled you may begin graphing your data for Temperature at Time 1.
4) After 20 minutes you will record the temperatures again. These temperatures will be
recorded as Temperature at Time 2. Please make sure to carefully read the thermometer
located inside each pop can. Be careful to only touch the thermometer at the top.
5) After Temperature at Time 2 is recorded you may begin graphing your Temperature at
Time 2 data on your graph.
6) As a class, we will compare the differences in temperature for each of the materials.
7) After comparing the difference in temperatures, complete the rest of your graph and
conclusion questions. When you are finished with everything turn it in to the turn in slot.

Material

Your Prediction

Temperature at

Temperature at

Difference in

(Rate 1 - 6)

Time 1 (degrees

Time 2 (degrees

Temperature

Fahrenheit)

(degrees

Fahrenheit)

Fahrenheit)

Paper Towel
Nothing
Plastic wrap
Wool Sock
Aluminum
Cotton Sock

Name:

Use the attached paper to draw your bar graph. Be sure to label your x and y axis. Your x
axis should be labeled as the type of materials and the y axis should be labeled as the
different temperatures.

Conclusion:
1. Which type of material allowed the temperature of the pop to have little change?

2. Why do you think that the material allowed for little change in temperature?

3. Which type of material allowed the temperature of the pop to have the greatest
change?
4. Why do you think that the material allowed for a big change in temperature?

5. What is it called when a material is successful at preventing heat transfer?

6. What is it called when a material is successful at allowing heat transfer to occur?