Melting temperatures: plan
I can plan how to find the temperatures at which some common materials melt.
Melting temperatures: plan
I can plan how to find the temperatures at which some common materials melt.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The process in which a material in the solid state changes to the liquid state is called melting.
- The melting temperature is the temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid.
- Different materials have different melting temperatures.
- Scientists ask questions about the melting temperature of different materials and plan how to answer them.
Keywords
Solid - A solid has a fixed shape and volume but some solids can change shape when a force is applied.
Liquid - A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom of its container.
Melting temperature - The melting temperature of a material is the temperature at which it changes from solid state to liquid state.
Degrees Celsius - Temperature is measured in degrees celsius (°C).
Common misconception
Children may think that only common materials melt at room temperature or that when something melts, the liquid is a different substance to the original solid.
Children are shown a range of materials with different melting temperatures, ranging from below to above room temperature. They are taught to refer to materials in a way that highlights the fact that the material is still the same substance.
Equipment
None required but it may help children with their planning to have access to containers of water, foil or foil cases, a range of materials to test.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
