Energy and substance
I can describe differences between the energy of different substances at the same temperature.
- Year 7
Energy and substance
I can describe differences between the energy of different substances at the same temperature.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- It is easier to increase the temperature of some materials than others.
- The mass of particles and the attractive forces between particles are different in different substances.
- Different substances need different amounts of heating to reach the same temperature.
- The same amount of different materials at the same temperature can cause different amounts of heating.
- The higher the specific heat capacity, the more energy 1 kg of a substance has, at a temperature, in the thermal store.
Keywords
Heating - when energy transfers from high to low temperature
Specific heat capacity - the property of a material that determines how much energy needs to be transferred to it to increase its temperature
Thermal store - the energy a substance has because of the random motion of its particles
Common misconception
Pupils rarely develop an intuitive understanding of what specific heat capacity means when it is introduced through an equation.
Use this lesson to develop a qualitative understanding of the specific heat capacity of objects, without introducing the equation for specific heat capacity.
Equipment
Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze, glass beaker (250 ml), balance, cooking oil, 0–100°C thermometer
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the basic particle theory?
Q2.What is a thermal energy store?
Q3.Which of these cause the energy in the thermal energy store to decrease?
Q4.What happens to the particles a liquid is made of when it is cooled down to a lower temperature?
Q5.Starting with the least energy, put these in order of the energy in their thermal energy store.
Q6.What happens to the energy a cup of tea has in the thermal store as it cools down?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a pure substance?
Q2.How does heating transfer energy?
Q3.Specific heat capacity is the property of a material that determines how much...
Q4.Why do particles in mixtures move at different speeds?
Q5.Starting with the least energy, put these in order of the energy in their thermal energy store:
Q6.Three metals balls of equal mass are heated in the oven for the same amount of time. Which metal has the lowest specific heat capacity?
