Energy Transfer

Lesson Plan

(based upon 5-E lesson plan) / The instructor will pass out  two blocks, one labeled A, and the other B. 

• ENGAGE

  • Sensation - Now hold the blocks in your hands and compare how they feel to the touch and record your observations in the form.  

  • Predictions - Predict which block will melt the ice faster, and state your reasons  

  • Test your predictions - After making your prediction, place an equivalent amount of ice in the center of each block, and surround it with the o-ring to collect water.  Place a towel below the block to collect the water. Record the time required to melt an equivalent amount of ice on each block, and record your results

  • Time-lapse movie - Make a time-lapse movie of the ice melting on both surfaces

• EXPLORE

  • Temperature - Measure the temperature of each by holding an Infrared thermometer (see below) 10 cm directly above the center of the surface, and record your observations in the form. 

  • Mass - Measure the mass of each with a balance or scale.  

    • Volume - measure the length, height and width of the blocks in centimeters and then calculate the volume of the blocks in milliliters (1 cc = 1 mL)

  • Density - calculate the density in g/mL

    • Unknown - Examine the densities of various elements and determine which element block A is made 

• EXPLAIN

  • • Explain - Explain the difference in melting times.

Infrared thermometer - An infrared thermometer is a device which infers temperature from a portion of the thermal radiation sometimes called blackbody radiation emitted by the object being measured. They are sometimes calledlaser thermometers if a laser is used to help aim the thermometer, or non-contact thermometers or temperature guns, to describe the device's ability to measure temperature from a distance. By knowing the amount of infrared energy emitted by the object and its emissivity, the object's temperature can often be determined. Infrared thermometers are a subset of devices known as "thermal radiation thermometers". (Wikipedia)

Multimeter - A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter), is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurement functions in one unit. A typical multimeter would include basic features such as the ability to measure voltage, current, and resistance. Analog multimeters use a microammeter whose pointer moves over a scale calibrated for all the different measurements that can be made. Digital multimeters (DMM, DVOM) display the measured value in numerals, and may also display a bar of a length proportional to the quantity being measured.  (from Wikipedia)