Curated OER
Simplicity of Electricity
Students examine how to make an electrical circuit. They listen to a teacher led discussion, design a switch to control a circuit, and construct a signaling device.
Curated OER
Properties of Materials - Part B
Students describe the history of materials. They use the kinetic (particle) theory to explain changes of state in matter and trace the flow of heat during changes of state and chemical changes.
Curated OER
Weather, Migrations, and Plants
Students research the effects of day-to-day weather on animal migrations, plant growth and other seasonal events. They consult maps, observe and record local conditions, keep journals and use their collected data check hypotheses.
Curated OER
Hess's Law
In this reactions worksheet, students use Hess's Law to calculate the heat gained or lost by different reactions. Students determine if the reaction would occur spontaneously at a given temperature. This worksheet has 9 problems to solve.
Curated OER
WHY DO SOME THINGS FLOAT WHILE OTHERS SINK
Students explore how density can cause things to sink or float by experimenting with a jar, oil and corn syrup.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Thermal Energy
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What thermal energy is and how it relates to temperature and mass.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: What Is Thermal Energy?
Learn what thermal energy is and how to calculate it.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Physical Science: Transfer of Thermal Energy
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the conduction of thermal energy, how convection transfers thermal energy, and provides an example of the radiation of thermal energy.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Conservation of Energy
In the following tutorial, students will learn about the law of conservation of energy. They will read about some of the many forms of energy. They will understand the definition of efficiency of an energy conversion process as the...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Thermal Physics
A two-lesson tutorial on thermal energy in the study of physics. Lessons include informational text, interactive activities, animations, and quick, interactive comprehension check-ins.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Bose Einstein Condensation: Temperature and Absolute Zero
From the Physics 2000 site, this page exemplifies their usual superb discussion of the concepts of heat, temperature, and absolute zero. Using an entertaining series of cartoon characters, the page gives a very understandable discussion...
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Mechanics: Energy
Definitions of various forms of energy are presented along with a brief scientific history of energy related concepts.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Forms of Energy
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this online lesson students will investigate examples of kinetic and potential energy and their transformations.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Thermal Radiation
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How thermal energy is transferred by thermal radiation and sources of thermal radiation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Thermal Properties Study Guide
A study guide for concepts related to thermal energy.
Other
Siemens Science Day: Physical Science: You're Getting Warmer
This hands-on science activity allows students to explore how materials absorb sunlight differently. Students will create model houses with different materials on the roof and see which material allows the most heat to be absorbed into...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Thermal Physics: What Is Heat?
This physics tutorial is devoted to understanding how the relative temperature of two objects affects the direction that heat is transferred between the two objects.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Ap Physics: Conservation of Energy
By the end of this section, you will be able to explain the law of the conservation of energy; describe some of the many forms of energy; and define efficiency of an energy conversion process as the fraction left as useful energy or...
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Madison: Physics Demonstrations: Sourcebook: Heat
Suggestions for physics classroom demonstrations pertaining to heat and thermal energy. [Author's Note: The demonstrations and other descriptions of procedures and use of equipment in this book have been compiled from sources believed to...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Kinetic Theory: Atomic & Molecular Explanation of Pressure & Temp
By the end of this section, you will be able to express the ideal gas law in terms of molecular mass and velocity; define thermal energy; calculate the kinetic energy of a gas molecule, given its temperature; describe the relationship...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Hot Oven
[Free Registration/Login Required] Do you know why the metal in the oven burns your skin but the air in the oven doesn't? This simulation will show you the relationship between heat energy and temperature.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Heat
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Definition of heat and how thermal energy is transferred.
Physics4kids
Physics 4 Kids: Heat and Thermal Energy
When scientists originally studied thermodynamics, they were really studying heat and thermal energy. Heat can do anything: move from one area to another, get atoms excited, and even increase energy. Did we say energy? That's what heat...
University of Sydney (Australia)
University of Sydney: Structure and Properties of Materials/thermal Physics
An exhaustive set of "lecture notes" on various topics in thermal physics (including thermal expansion). Explanations are well done and more interesting than most. Includes both a mathematical and conceptual treatment of topics. Humor,...