Heat: Science Lesson

Wrap-up

You really beat the heat in this lesson—and learned some basic things about physics, natural laws that explain a little bit of how the world works.

In this lesson you:

• Explored the meaning of heat energy and heat transfer
• Learned three different types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation
• Looked at different types of wave energy on the electromagnetic spectrum

On your own:

• Gather the family and boil a pot of water. Drop in a few macaroni and see convection in action. Explain how conduction and convection work to your kids.
• Make a list of the different types of heat transfer taking place in your home: for example, what’s really going on inside the hot water heater, the electric oven, the coffee maker?
• Get familiar with the different types of energy on the electromagnetic spectrum and how they are used in devices from cell-phones to infrared cameras.