Download Lab-Temp., Heat, and Thermal Energy

Name _______________________
Date____
Color___
Temperature, Heat and Thermal Energy
Learning Target: I can explain the differences between temperature, thermal energy and heat.
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS:
Temperature is the _______________________________________________ of the particles.
Thermal energy is the ___________________________________________ of the particles.
Heat is ____________________________________________________________________________.
PURPOSE: In today’s investigation, you will explore how temperature changes when two substances are
in contact with each other. The size of the change will tell you something about amount of thermal energy,
which will help you learn the difference between thermal energy and temperature.
COMBINING HOT METAL AND COLD WATER
PREDICTION:
Suppose you have a small cube of metal and a larger cube of the same metal. Both metals are hot and are
the same temperature. Both metals are placed into separate cups of 75 g cold water. What do you think
will happen to the temperature of the water in each of the cups? Why?
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DO THE EXPERIMENT – hot metal and cold water – Record your results in the table below.
Read the temperature of the final mixture at 30, 60 and 90 seconds after the metal object is placed in the
water.
Metal
Mass (g)
(measure
after the
metal has
cooled)
Metal temp
before mix (°
C)
(Measure
temperature of
water metal
came out of)
Cold Water Cold water
Mass (g)
temp.
before mix
(°C)
75 g
75g
Mixture temp
(°C)
(Temp of
water 30 sec
after metal is
added)
Mixture
temp (°C)
(Temp of
water 60 sec
after metal is
added)
Mixture
temp (°C)
(Temp of
water 90 sec
after metal
is added)
ANALYZE YOUR RESULTS:
1. How much did the temperature of the water change when mixed with the small sample of metal? In
what direction?
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2. How much did the temperature of the water change when mixed with the larger sample of metal? In
what direction?
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3. a. What was the independent variable in this experiment? _________________________________
b. What was the dependent variable in this experiment? __________________________________
c. What were some controlled factors in this experiment? _________________________________
4. Draw a diagram of the hot metal in the cooler water, showing the transfer of energy using arrows.
5. Which sample of metal had more thermal energy when it was in the hot water at the start of the
experiment? Support your answer to this question with data and observations from your lab.
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6. Thermal energy and temperature are related, but they are not the same thing. According to your results,
what does the concept of thermal energy take into account that temperature does not? Use your best
scientific vocabulary to answer.
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