Energy and substance
I can describe differences between the energy of different substances at the same temperature.
Energy and substance
I can describe differences between the energy of different substances at the same temperature.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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
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
