Climate Literacy
Clean: Climate Change and the Oceans
Students discover the role that the oceans play in climate change, and how climate change affects the oceans. It is lesson eight in a nine-lesson module "Visualizing and Understanding the Science of Climate Change."
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Why Is the Earth Still Hot Inside?
In this lesson, students conduct heat transfer experiments to investigate why the Earth is still hot at its core, even after billions of years since its formation. They will learn that the rate of heat transfer is dependent on an...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Introduction to the Atmosphere
A detailed overview of the Earth's atmosphere, with explanations about atmospheric properties, the structure of the atmosphere, its four layers, atmospheric processes, energy heat transfer, conduction and convection, and radiation. All...
FT Exploring
Ft Exploring: The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Learn about one of the most misunderstood principles of physics, the second law of thermodynamics.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: What Makes Water Special?
Activity 2 investigates Why is water different from other liquids? This activity will discover the properties of different liquids. Students will explore what makes honey gooey and thicker than water. And why some liquids evaporate...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Radiation Cooling of Body
Discusses the means by which the body regulates its temperature. The role of radiation in this process is explained. An equation for calculating the rate at which energy is transferred by radiation is presented. Also, an interactive...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Hot Is It?
Students learn about the nature of thermal energy, temperature and how materials store thermal energy. They discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation of thermal energy, and complete activities in which they...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Give and Take
An activity for students to explore how dark-colored materials absorb and emit more energy vs. light-colored material.
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,...
Colorado State University
Csu: Model of Basic Otto Cycle
This site from the Colorado State University discusses the Otto cycle of a car engine. Includes a highly mathematical treatment of the efficiency of such engines. Includes a link to a java applet investigating the efficiency of such...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Blackbody Radiation
An indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. This page includes a concept map of links to pages that contain information related to blackbody radiation. Each individual page consists of informative graphics and clear explanations.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
The principle of thermal equilibrium is discussed and explained. The zeroth law of thermodynamics is stated. Links to several other pages with related information are provided.
Curated OER
Fund. Of Phys. Geography/energy, Temperature, and Heat
A page describing (in part) the distinction between energy, temperature and heat. Includes graphic illustrating the quantity of energy needed to transform water between its various states. Methods of thermal energy transfer (convection,...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Hot and Cold Water Experiment
Demonstrate the relationship between water temperature and density using two clear plastic soda bottles.
Other
Mansfield Connecticut: Convection, Conduction, and Radiation
Learn about Convection, Conduction and Radiation then play a game to assess what you learned.
Other
Ask Numbers: Measurement Conversion Calculators and Charts
What kind of unit conversion would you like to do? This site will allow you to do a multitude of conversions. Just click on the specific measurement you are needing to convert. It also provides a history of measurements and a chart of...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Exhibit Cross Reference: Convection Currents
A description of a museum exhibit that illustrates convection and convection currents. Great idea stimulus for a student project or lab investigation.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Burn Rubber
Try this at-home science experiment to learn what happens when you repeatedly stretch a rubber band.
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Essentials of Weather
A suite of lessons focusing on the basic elements of climate and weather. Inquiry-based exploration of extreme weather events and the factors of weather including clouds, wind, air pressure, temperature, and the water cycle.
Climate Literacy
Clean: What Happens to Ice in Water?
Students investigate the properties of water in the ice and liquid phase as it relates to convection in the ocean and density driven circulation, and ultimately the climate.
University of Sydney (Australia)
Equations for Thermodynamics
An exhaustive list of equations and formulas which are commonly used in thermal physics (including equations for triple point). Equations are organized according to category. Meaning of the symbols is clearly stated.
Chemistry Collective
Chem Collective: Camping Problem
Measure the enthalpy of a reaction and then create a solution warm enough to cook food.
MadSci Network
The Mad Scientist Network: Physics
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.