Learners learn about the nature of thermal energy, temperature and how materials store thermal energy. They discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation of thermal energy, and complete activities in which they...

Three short, hands-on, in-class demos expand students' understand of energy. First, using peanuts and heat, students see how the human body burns food to make energy. Then, students create paper snake mobiles to explore how heat energy...

During this lesson, students will construct a passive solar house from everyday items then explore how the sun's energy is used to heat and cool it.

Students create and observe a greenhouse effect model and discuss the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves and the Earth.

Students observe demonstrations, and build and evaluate simple models to understand the greenhouse effect, the role of increased greenhouse gas concentration in global warming, and the implications of global warming theory for engineers,...

Students learn about friction and drag - two different forces that convert energy of motion to heat. Both forces can act on a moving object and decrease its velocity. Students learn examples of friction and drag, and suggest ways to...

First, students toss coins to determine what traits a set of mouse parents possess, such as fur color, body size, heat tolerance, and running speed. Next they use coin tossing to determine the traits a mouse pup born to these parents...

This PBS site contains videos and activities that are hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process. They use simple materials, allow for multiple solutions, and are ideal for ages 9-12.

Students work in teams to learn about solar panel design, simple circuits, and how solar energy is used to provide power to simple machines such as calculators.

Through nine lessons, students are introduced to a range of energy types--electrical, light, sound and thermal-as well as the renewable energy sources of wind, hydro (water) and solar power. Subjects range from understanding that the...

Young scholars measure energy outputs and inputs to determine the efficiency of conversions and simple systems. One associated activitiy includes Lego motors and accomplishing work. The other investigates energy for heating water....

Students use a watt meter to measure energy input into a hot plate or hot pot used to heat water. The theoretical amount of energy required to raise the water by the measure temperature change is calculated and compared to the electrical...

Students evaluate various everyday energy conversion devices and draw block flow diagrams to show the forms and states of energy into and out of the device. They also identify the forms of energy that are useful and the desired output of...

Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.

Forward and reverse heat engines are discussed and explained at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Diagrams are provided. Efficiency equations are given and discussed.

A collection of video lectures from a physics for science and engineering course taught at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The course discusses the concepts of mechanics, wave motion, sound, heat and thermodynamics in thirty-five...

A steam turbine is defined at Applied Thermodynamics. The individual steps of a steam turbine engine are illustrated and explained.

A study guide for concepts related to thermal energy.

Find out about Gottlieb Daimler, a pioneer of internal-combustion engines and automobile development.

To understand the challenges of satellite construction, student teams design and create model spacecraft to protect vital components from the harsh conditions found on Mercury and Venus. They use slices of butter in plastic eggs to...

Student teams design insulated beverage bottles in this challenge, and test them to determine which materials work best at insulating hot water to keep it warm for as long as possible.

This activity focuses on the conservation of energy solely between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. Students work with a virtual laboratory set at a skate park. They make predictions of graphs before they use the...

An indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. This page includes links to a variety of pages at the site which contain information related to phase changes. Each individual page consists of informative graphics and clear explanations.

This site from Georgia State University Department of Physics and Astronomy is an indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. The page links to a variety of other pages which discuss concepts related to entropy and the second law of...