TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Let the Sun Shine!
Students learn how the sun can be used for energy. They learn about passive solar heating, lighting and cooking, and active solar engineering technologies (such as photovoltaic arrays and concentrating mirrors) that generate electricity....
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: I'm Melting, I'm Melting
In this activity you will use the EasyTemp temperature sensor. Determine the change in thermal energy for a given mass of ice. Determine the heat of fusion of ice and the percent error.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Calorimetry
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Using diagrams and practice problems, students learn how the units of calories are used to measure the energy of the heat transfer. They also discover how...
Other
Warmair.com: Programmable Thermostats
The virtues of programmable thermostats are discussed. Includes a section titled "Thermostat Set-back Calculation;" the visitor can enter the normal and an adjusted thermostat setting and an outdoor temperature and view the percent...
OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: Net Logo: Conduction in Solids Full (Fixed)
This simulation shows conduction of thermal energy within and between solids, based on the kinetic energy of particles, and collisions between neighboring particles.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Absolute Temperature
The General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, or Chem 1, is broken into several sections covering various aspects of topics related to chemistry. This section deals specifically with absolute temperature and absolute zero in relation to...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: First Law of Thermodynamics
At this site from Georgia State University the first law of thermodynamics is stated and explained. The meaning of internal energy and enthalpy is discussed. Equations are given and the importance of a system analysis is discussed.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Getting the Lightbulb to Light Up
Students construct a simple electrical circuit using wires, batteries, and a lightbulb. From constructing a circuit the students will discover that when energy is produced there is heat.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Get the Porridge Just Right
Step-by-step illustrated instructions for an experiment investigating the loss of heat in three bowls of porridge.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Thermodynamics Article
Thermodynamics is a very important branch of both physics and chemistry. It deals with the study of energy, the conversion of energy between different forms and the ability of energy to do work. Through this article, you will begin to...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Geo Notes: Geothermal Resources in Indiana [Pdf]
Describes how geothermal energy is harnessed in Indiana.
OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: Net Logo: Conduction in Solids Reduced
This simulation shows conduction of thermal energy within and between solids, based on the kinetic energy of particles, and collisions between neighboring particles.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Properties of Fresh Water and Sea Water
Students set up three demonstrations to observe the properties of water. They explore the boiling point of water, the freezing point of water, and the ability of water to store heat.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: How Molecules Take Up Thermal Energy
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...
Other
Applied Thermodynamics: Specific Heat Capacity
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.
Other
Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Transfer
Heat transfer, rates of heat exchange,conduction, radiation and convection are defined and discussed at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Well illustrated.
Climate Literacy
Clean: Solar Water Heater
Student teams design and build solar water heaters to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. Once the model devices are constructed, students perform efficiency calculations and compare designs.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Insulation Fact Sheet
Several well-written pages using easy-to-understand language. Explains about every detail concerning insulation and its installation or replacement. Discusses R values, heat loss, insulation types, etc.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Thermodynamics
In this interactive unit on thermodynamics, you'll learn why heat flows the way it does and how that flow of thermal energy can be put to good use in your daily life.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: The Ups and Downs of Thermometers
Based on experimental observations, learners describe, on the molecular level, why the liquid in a thermometer goes up when it is heated and down when it is cooled.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Reversible Reactions
Watch a reaction proceed over time. How does total energy affect a reaction rate? This model represents an analogy of chemical reactions.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Give and Take
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.
MadSci Network
The Mad Scientist Network/is 0 K Absolute Zero?
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.
Other
Warmair.com: Insulation
The role of insulation in preventing heat loss is discussed. The concept of thermal resistance is introduced and explained. Understandable language but no graphics.