3 Types of Heat Transfer: Radiation, Conduction, and Convection

CA Standard 3.c.  Students know heat flows in solids by conduction (which involves no flow of matter) and in fluids by convection (which involves flow of matter).
CA Standards 3.d.  Students know that heat energy is also transferred between objects by radiation (radiation can travel through space).

Background:
If you place a cold spoon in a mug of hot cocoa, you may notice the handle of the spoon becomes warm.  In this lesson you will explore the transfer of heat through conduction.  Conduction is the transfer of heat by the direct contact of atoms and molecules in solids.


Lesson:
1.  Explore the three types of heat transfer in this website and check your knowledge by playing the Heat Review Game!
2.  Click here to play an interactive game about radiation, conduction, and convection.
3.  Click here to watch a music video about the three ways that heat travels.
4.  Compare the three types of heat transfer and correctly identify vocabulary words associated with both at this website.

Questions & Assignment:
On a sheet of paper complete the following questions:

1.  What are the definitions of radiation, conduction, and convection?

2.  In our assignment last week about Frosty the Snowman, we saw Frosty melting in the Greenhouse.  What type of energy transfer was illustrated in that scene?  Explain your answer.

On the back of the paper:
Illustrate one method of making popcorn from the list below and identify the type of heat transfer that is involved.

1. Put oil in the bottom of a pan. Cover the bottom of the pan with popcorn kernels. Place the pan on the stove and turn on the burner to medium heat. Cover the pan with a lid. Periodically shake the pan so the kernels move around in the oil.
2. Obtain a popcorn popper. Place the popcorn kernels in the popper. Plug in/turn on the popper. Hot air will transfer heat to the kernels, making them expand and pop.
3. Microwave a bag of microwave popcorn.