Activity
Museum of Science

The Atom's Family: Phases of Matter

For Students 3rd - 8th
Help the Phantom choose a material and observe the changes at different temperatures in the molecule chamber. What happens to the elements or molecules as the temperature changes?
Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Global Climate Change: Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to explore real scientific data relating to the atmosphere. With this information you can gather evidence, test theories, and come to conclusions. Click on the data examples to view a full scale version.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics: Thermal Properties Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
A study guide for concepts related to thermal energy.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Observing the Effect of Temperature on Change of State and Gas Pressure

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lab serves as a short introduction to both changes in state and air pressure/the gas laws. The students will heat a small amount of water in an aluminum can. They will then invert it in a bucket of cold water and crush the can using...
Handout
USA Today

Usa Today: Latent Heat Supplies Weather Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
This article provides information on what latent heat is. A good graphic is provided and links to key terms.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: All Fat Is Not Created Equally!

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students learn that fats found in the foods we eat are not all the same; they discover that physical properties of materials are related to their chemical structures. Provided with several samples of commonly used fats with different...
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Global Warming Takes a Toll on Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Article describing damage caused to coral reefs in the Caribbean after an extended period of extreme heat in 2005 that raised the ocean temperature in that area. The potential, devastating consequences to humans of coral reef destruction...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Insulation Materials Investigation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students test the insulation properties of different materials by timing how long it takes ice cubes to melt in the presence of various insulating materials. Students learn about the role that thermal insulation materials can play in...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Collapsing Bottle Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Explore the effect of changing temperature on air pressure using a plastic soda bottle.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Make a Thermometer

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Observe how a change in temperature affects the volume of water in a bottle.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Cool Hot Rod

For Students 9th - 10th
This activity will show students how objects change size when heated and cooled. Students will observe a metal tube have expansion and contraction.
Handout
University of Sydney (Australia)

Thermal Physics Module: Thermal Expansion [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy set of lecture notes on the topics of thermal expansion and heat absorption. The concept of specific heat capacity is explained and numerical examples are discussed. Heats of transformation (fusion, vaporization) are explained...
Online Course
Cosmo Learning

Cosmo Learning: Senior Chemistry With Chemguy

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of video lectures from a general chemistry class for high school students. Lectures cover topics such as equilibrium, thermochemistry, electrochemistry, and acids and bases with forty-four lectures. Lectures vary in length...
Unit Plan
Chem Tutor

Chem Tutor: Chemistry: States of Matter

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. It also discusses the Kinetic Theory of Matter, Thermodynamics, Triple point, Phase Change Graphs and the Heating Curve of Water. It provideds adrawing of a heating...
Graphic
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Why Earth Is Warming

For Students 9th - 10th
Over more than a century, the global average temperature warmed 1.5F (0.8C). Learn the science of why this has happened, and what the future holds.
Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Bubbles on Bottles

For Teachers K - 1st
Students observe that a change in the temperature of air can impact the size of a bubble placed on a bottle that is cooled and/or heated.
Website
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: What Is Weather?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Rain and dull clouds, windy blue skies, cold snow, and sticky heat? This site helps students learn more about weather and what causes it to change.
Unit Plan
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: States of Matter

For Students 9th - 10th
Watch different types of molecules form a solid, liquid, or gas. Add or remove heat and watch the phase change. Change the temperature or volume of a container and see a pressure-temperature diagram respond in real time. Relate the...
Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Moving Air

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In the following lesson for students grades 3-5 students observe how changing the temperature affects a small amount of air inside of a bubble. Student sheets are provided in English and in Spanish.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Explore the Chemistry Within Hand Warmers

For Students 9th - 10th
Determine how the starting temperature affects crystal growth and heat generation of a hand warmer in this chemistry science fair project. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective,...
eBook
New York University

Nyu: Math Mol: Motion of Molecules

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the link between molecular motion and energy. Observe the movement of a molecule at room temperature. Learn about the different types of molecular motion.
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Physics & Chemistry: Boiling Point

For Students 9th - 10th
A scientific explanation of what a boiling point is, the factors that can alter a liquid's boiling point, changes of state that occur at the boiling point, and how the normal boiling point relates to a liquid's vapor pressure. (Updated:...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Thermodynamics Article

For Students 9th - 10th
Thermodynamics is a very important branch of both physics and chemistry. It deals with the study of energy, the conversion of energy between different forms and the ability of energy to do work. Through this article, you will begin to...
Website
Other

Nrdc: Are the Effects of Global Warming Really That Bad?

For Students 9th - 10th
The problems of global warming are examined from the following perspectives: climate pattern changes, health effects, and ecosystem disruption. You will also find a number of NRDC related webpages further amplifying the topic of global...