7 Energy and Matter
Big Ideas and Big Questions
Big Ideas
- Energy can move throughout a system.
- The properties of matter can effect how systems interact.
Big Questions
- What are the different ways energy can impact matter?
Heat Transfer
The term “heat” as used in everyday language refers to both thermal energy (the motion of atoms or molecules within a substance) and the transfer of that energy from one object to another. In science heat refers specifically to the energy transferred through the temperature difference between two objects. Heat transfer occurs in three different ways: conduction, convection, and radiation (figure 13). Each of these transfers can impact the kinetic energy (moving energy) of the molecules and atoms within the objects, or systems, that are interacting. When the systems are in contact with each other, the molecules or elements from a high energy (hot) source transfer energy to a lower energy source (cool). For example, when placing an ice cube on a hot piece of metal, the atoms in the hot metal transfer their thermal energy (heat) to the ice’s molecules causing them to move faster. As the molecules in the ice cube move quicker, they increase the internal thermal energy which may causes a phase change with the solid ice turning to liquid.
Figure 13: Heat Transfer
(Blaus, 2017)
Convection
is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of a group of particles in a liquid or gas.
Conduction
is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact.
Radiation
is the transfer of thermal energy through thermal emission.
Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Video
Click here to watch a video about Conduction, Convection, and Radiation
Teacher Time Out: Heat Transfer
How does this connect to the NGSS Progression
DCI: PS3.A Definition of Energy: Students begin to explore this concept in grade band 3-5 where they focus on the movement of an object from place to place and the varying ways energy can be transferred (light, sound, waves, etc.). Students begin to dig deeper into kinetic and potential energy within states of matter in grade band 6-8 as they explore the idea of temperature as movement of molecules and the energy that is transformed.
DCI: PS3.B Conservation of energy and energy transfer: Grade bands K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 have students build on energy transfer concepts as students explore where energy can come from, how that energy can be felt with the senses, and the varying ways energy can be transferred.
|
|
K-2 |
3-5 |
6-8 |
| PS3.A Definitions of energy | N/A | Moving objects contain energy. The faster the object moves, the more energy it has. Energy can be moved from place to place by moving objects, or through sound, light, or electrical currents. Energy can be converted from one form to another form. | Kinetic energy can be distinguished from the various forms of potential energy. Energy changes to and from each type can be tracked through physical or chemical interactions. The relationship between the tem