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Unit Plan
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium What Is Happening When a Spark Occurs?

For Students 9th - 10th
Activity 1 of this module investigates: How does potential energy change when things are pushed or pulled? Exploring how force is related to potential energy, this activity investigates how potential energy is changed when a spring is...
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Phases of Matter: Interactive Lesson

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the three phases of matter, and how the addition and removal of thermal energy (also known as heat) affects them.
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Website
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Online Resources During Covid 19 Shutdown

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
My school has shut down due to the coronavirus. What do I do now? BSCS Science Learning is here to help teachers during these unsure times. They have consolidated online resources to help you easily find programs, units, and more!
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Bake Your Ice Cream

For Students 9th - 10th
This activity will teach you how it is even possible to bake ice cream in a hot oven and have it come out frozen.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Conduction

For Students 9th - 10th
Using understandable words and exceptional graphics, this page describes the transfer of energy by means of conduction. Contains several links to related topics.
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Website
MadSci Network

The Mad Scientist Network: Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
A page from the question and answer section of this useful site. The page responds to the user question: "Explain convection to me in terms I can understand." An excellent discussion of the method of convection.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Specific Heat

For Students 9th - 10th
This page from Georgia State University provides information on specific heat. Formulas are included. You can also enter in information into the site and have it calculate it for you.
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Handout
MadSci Network

The Mad Scientist Network/is 0 K Absolute Zero?

For Students 9th - 10th
Using a question and answer format, this page explains what is meant by the term "absolute zero." The basis for the Kelvin temperature scale is described. And the relationship between heat or energy and temperature is discussed.
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Handout
California Institute of Technology

Nasa: Cool Cosmos: How Does Heat Travel?

For Students 6th - 8th
An explanation, with infrared images, of how heat is transferred from one object to another.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Thermal Conductivity

For Students 9th - 10th
Lists thermal conductivity values for a variety of topics. The link "Heat conduction discussion" on this page displays an equation for calculating the rate of thermal conduction using these conductivity values.
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Handout
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley Lab: University of California: Electromagnetic Radiation

For Students 9th - 10th
This page defines electromagnetic radiation. Included are links to more information.
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Handout
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module/temperature and Heat [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy set of lecture notes on the distinction between heat and temperature. The science of thermography is introduced; the Kelvin temperature scale is explained and compared to the Celsius temperature scale. The meaning of a triple...
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Handout
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module: Thermal Expansion [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy set of lecture notes on the topics of thermal expansion and heat absorption. The concept of specific heat capacity is explained and numerical examples are discussed. Heats of transformation (fusion, vaporization) are explained...
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Activity
University of Sydney (Australia)

Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A set of printable pdf pages from the University of Sydney's "Thermal Physics Module" site. Entropy is defined and explained conceptually. The mathematical treatment of entropy is introduced. The second law of thermodynamics and its...
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Website
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module: Refrigerators and Heat Pumps [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Refrigerators and heat pumps are described. Their operation is explained and the variables which improve their efficiency is discussed.
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Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: How Thermal Energy Is Stored in Molecules

For Students 9th - 10th
With an overview of topics related to chemical energetics, this site provides a foundation to a study of thermodynamics and thermal energy. Other topics covered include kinetic energy, translation, rotation, vibrations, density, and more.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Volumetric Heat Capacity

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers a brief definition of the term, "Volumetric heat capacity." Includes hyperlinked terms.
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Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: How Molecules Take Up Thermal Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
With an overview of topics related to chemical energetics, this site provides a foundation to a study of thermodynamics with information on thermal energy. Topics covered include heat capacity, temperature, translational motions of...
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Exhibit Cross Reference: Convection Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of a museum exhibit that illustrates convection and convection currents. Great idea stimulus for a student project or lab investigation.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Give and Take

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of a museum exhibit that compares the heat radiated from two pieces of metal--one painted black and the other shiny. Great idea stimulus for a student project or lab investigation.
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Handout
Other

Warm Air: Heat Loss

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent page describing the variables which effect the heat loss through homes. The causes and sources of such heat loss are identified and explained. Lays the groundwork for understanding the importance of and need for home heating...
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Handout
Other

Warmair.com: Heat Gain

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent page describing the variables lead to rising temperatures in the home. The causes and sources of such heat gain are identified and explained. Lays the groundwork for understanding the importance of and need for home air...
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Handout
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Specific Heat Capacity

For Students 9th - 10th
Specific heat capacity is defined and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. An equation is given. The general equation for the specific heat of an ideal gas is derived and discussed.
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Website
Other

Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Engines

For Students 9th - 10th
Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.