Exploring Thermal Phenomena

• Measure temperatures with standard thermometer
  

- find the plates are the same temperature or close to same temperature; at least not the expected big difference between the metal and Styrofoam * Small groups discuss why this might be

• Small groups report findings and theories
• Whole group discussion:
  

Concepts:
- Room temperature
- Equilibrium (objects in contact come to same temperature)
- Insulator/conductor
Powerful ideas:
- Different materials conduct heat from body differently
- Temperature difference implies flow of heat energy (from hot to cold? From cold to hot?)
- Materials with high thermal conductivity transfer heat rapidly (conductors)
- Materials with low thermal conductivity transfer heat slowly (insulators)
- Materials that are in contact come to the same equilibrium temperature if left long enough and are not near source of heat (room temperature)