Science Struck
Science Struck: Examples of Thermal Energy
Describes examples of thermal energy in the natural world from the Sun, the oceans, and the Earth.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Heat Transfer
Learn about thermal energy, also known as heat or heat energy, and the ways in which it can move from one object to another,
National Geographic
National Geographic: Using Waste Heat to Generate Electricity
Students learn about waste heat capture, how it can be re-used to generate electricity and develop a podcast educating others about it. Includes student handouts and links to many online resources.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Heat Transfer
In this interactive activity adapted from the Wisconsin Online Resource Center, students will learn how heat can be transferred in one of three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Heat Transfer
Students explore the relationship between heat and energy transfer, and then describe how energy is transported through the processes of conduction, convection, and radiation. [Free Registration/Login may be required to access all...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar Water Heater
Student teams design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. This thermal energy is next transferred to water (to be...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Specific Heat
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students explore the concept of specific heat, learn how it is calculated, and find out how different materials have different specific heat values.
Purdue University
Purdue University: Thermal Convection
Students build a model representing the properties of Earth's mantle, illustrating how thermal energy creates movement in a fluid.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Using Energy Resources Wisely
Students test which type of material retains heat the longest.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Energy, Heat, and Temperature
As part of a larger resource called "Getting started in Chemistry," this page examines various topics related to energy. The types of energy discussed include kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Heat Transfer Methods
In this section of the textbook, learn about the methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Book can be downloaded.
US Energy Information Administration
U.s. Eia: Energy Kids: Renewable Energy: Solar
This is a resource on solar energy, photovoltaic energy, solar thermal heat, solar thermal power plants and other forms of energy.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Solar Energy
Explains what solar energy is, how it differs from photovoltaic energy, and how it is harnessed to produce electric power for humans.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: The Basics of Energy, Heat, and Work
With an overview of topics related to chemical energetics, this site provides a foundation to a study of thermodynamics and its relation to energy, heat, and work.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Absolute Temperature
The General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, or Chem 1, is broken into several sections covering various aspects of topics related to chemistry. This section deals specifically with absolute temperature and absolute zero in relation to...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Convection
In this section of a college textbook, the topic of convection is explored. Understand how the process of convection transfers heat. Also learn how to calculate the rate of heat transfer by convection. Section also includes problems and...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Heat Flow
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this lesson, students study the difference between reactions that absorb versus release heat as well as how to measure this change in energy.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Transferring Heat by Convection in a Tank
In this engineering science fair project, students will determine the most effective method for quickly raising the temperature of a liquid in a tank. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract,...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Specific Heat
This page from Georgia State University provides information on specific heat. Formulas are included. You can also enter in information into the site and have it calculate it for you.
Other
Three Methods of Heat Transfer: Conduction, Convection and Radiation
A quick, illustrated overview of the three main methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Chemical Reactions & Engineering Design
This lesson begins with a story about rescuing reptile eggs from a new construction site. Using the story as motivation, students are presented with an engineering design challenge: Build a portable device which can warm, support, and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Phases of Matter: Interactive Lesson
Learn about the three phases of matter, and how the addition and removal of thermal energy (also known as heat) affects them.
Other
Physics Labs/specific Heat (C) of Metal
A complete set of directions, notes, and suggestions for a lab involving the determination of the specific heat values for various metals. Suitable for a student project or lab investigation.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Pie Pan Convection
In this experiment, students observe what happens when a pan of soapy, colored water is heated. They will see that convection currents cause the fluid to rise and sink in a localized convection cell.