Thermal conductors
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the idea of vibrating particles to explain heating by thermal conduction.
Key learning points
- The temperature along a thermal conductor increases quickly when it is heated.
- The temperature along a thermal insulator increases very slowly when it is heated.
- In thermal conductors, vibrating particles quickly cause the particles near to them to vibrate as well.
- In thermal insulators, it is hard for vibrating particles to cause the particles near to them to vibrate as well.
Keywords
Thermal conduction - a change in temperature due to particles passing on their motion through their bonds or by particle collisions
Thermal conductor - a substance along which thermal conduction happens quickly
Thermal insulator - a substance along which thermal conduction happens slowly
Forces of attraction - hold together the neighbouring particles in a solid or liquid; these forces are weaker the further apart the particles are
Common misconception
Heat is a substance that flows through thermal conductors.
Emphasise that in a solid the particles do not move along the material during thermal conduction and that what we experience as ‘heat’ is particles in an object vibrating against our skin.
Teacher tip
Electrons play a significant role in the thermal conductivity of metals but teaching this idea is best left until after pupils understand the motion of electrons in electric circuits.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which material passes a vibration on the quickest when one end is shaken?
Q2.Why is a solid often stiff?
Q3.Why is the handle of a sauce pan often made of wood or plastic?
Q4.Why is the base of a saucepan usually made of metal?
Q5.In which state of matter do particles collide the least often?
Q6.What happens when one end of a metal rod is heated in a Bunsen flame?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If the temperature along a solid increases quickly, it is called a thermal .
Q2.If the temperature along a solid increases slowly, it is called a thermal .
Q3.Which of the following would you expect to be good thermal conductors?
Q4.Which of these metals is the best thermal conductor?
Q5.What happens to the particles a solid is made of when its temperature is increased?
Q6.Why are solids better thermal conductors than liquids?
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Thermal conductors, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: Thermal conductors, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Heating and cooling unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.