Tag Archives: heat transfer

Radiant heat travels in the form of waves. No physical contact between objects is needed to transfer heat by radiation. Students will fill black, white, and silver cans with water, and observe the temperature change in the water when the cans are placed under a bright lamp. The cans are being heated by radiation, and the color of the outer finish of the cans determines the efficiency with which they absorb the heat energy. The white and silver cans reflect most of the rays that strike them (visible and non-visible), so they will heat much more slowly than the black can.

Ice Melting Blocks! Heat can be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation. In this experiment, students will discover the different rates at which materials can conduct heat. Aluminum is a better conductor of heat than high-density foam.

PurposeIn this activity, you will investigate curious heat transfer ability of different surfaces.
Discussion
If you walk around the house with bare feet, you probably notice that a tile floor feels much colder than a carpeted floor or rug. It’s hard to believe that they might actually have the same temperature. The tile feels colder because it [...]

Purpose
In this experiment, you will compare the ability of different surfaces to absorb thermal radiation.
Discussion
Does the color of a surface make a difference in how well it absorbs thermal radiation? If so, how? The answer to these questions could help you decide what to wear on a hot, sunny day and what color to [...]

Thermodynamics and the thermal properties of matter are inextricably linked to daily living. Most everyone has an innate sense of hot and cold, checks the temperature outdoors before deciding what to wear, knows that spilled water will eventually evaporate and not to expect a snow storm on a hot July day.