In Investigation One, you will study the relationship between heat, the kinetic energy of molecules, and temperature. During this Investigation, you will:

1. Compare the height of room temperature liquid in a sealed glass tube when it is placed in an environment with greater kinetic energy or higher heat (boiling water).
2. Compare the level of room temperature liquid in the sealed glass tube when it is placed in an environment with less kinetic energy or lower heat (freezing water).
3. Created the graduations for your own thermometer.
4. Used the thermometer you calibrated to bring a beaker of water to three (3) different temperatures.

In Investigation Two, you will investigate how changes in thermal energy affect some of the physical properties of matter.  You will also investigate how the addition of a solute can change the freezing and boiling point of water. During this Investigation, you:

1. Observed the effects of a solute on freezing point using the following salt solutions and an ice bath:

0 g NaCl /100 ml water

5 g NaCl in 100 ml water

5 g NaCl in 100 ml water

2. Observed the effects of a solute on boiling point using the following salt solutions:

0 g NaCl/ 300 ml water

30 g NaCl/ 300 ml water

60 g NaCl/ 300 ml water

In Investigation Three, you will study the ability of different materials to absorb heat. You will learn how to calculate the specific heat capacity of different substances. During this Investigation, you will:

2. Create a calorimeter.
3. Use a triple beam balance to obtain the mass of a steel and lead cube.
4. Calculate the specific heat capacity for both the steel and lead cube using the following formula:

Complete Performance Assessment protocols are found in the Teacher’s Manual. Performance Assessment instructions are found in the Heat & Heat Transfer Student Data Records (SDR) as well.