Why does the air in a hot oven not burn skin, but metal in the oven does? The simulation focuses on the difference between temperature and thermal energy and the way these are transferred. Scholars adjust the temperature of an oven and observe the behaviors of molecules in both the air and on a metal pan.

Concepts

heat energy, temperature, specific heat, heat transfer, density, thermal energy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use a toaster oven and a laser thermometer to prove the air and the metal pan are the same temperature

Classroom Considerations

• Requires a free CK-12 account to access the interactive
• Assumes prior knowledge of thermal energy and molecular behavior

Pros

• Includes intuitive controls
• Challenge questions in the simulation encourage higher-level thinking

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4