Infrared-Hot

What do your pupils and snakes have in common? They can both see thermal radiation! A hands-on activity trains individuals to locate a thermal energy source blindfolded. They learn how to sense the location even when it is far away.

Enough talk about the Greenhouse Effect—let's actually look at it! Junior climatologists engage in a simple thermodynamics experiment on a cold winter's day to examine global warming. The activity simulates rising carbon dioxide levels...

Where does all the heat go when the sun goes down? An interesting lesson has learners explore this question by monitoring the infrared radiation emitted over time. They learn that hot spots cool more quickly that cooler spots.

How do you dispel misconceptions about heat? Bake a cake! Using an infrared thermometer, the narrator discloses heat's true nature to unsuspecting beach-goers, as well as to his mother. Our sense of touch misleads us into measuring heat...

Students explore infrared imaging by first exploring Old Faithful geyser in infrared light. They create their own infrared images of geothermal features using visible light images as a guide.

Students view infrared images of a blowing hair dryer, a Popsicle, and a toaster. They discuss the images and ways they are different than visible light images. Students view a temperature scale and discuss which parts of the item are...

Students are the defintion of temperature which is a measure of the average heat or thermal energy of the particles in a substance. They dicuss how heat can move from place to place. Students work in small groups to discuss what is...

Pupils analyze infrared imaging by looking at an image of a familiar geothermal feature, Old Faithful. They recognize the visible light image of the famous geyser, and figure out what the infrared image is showing them.

Students are shown infrared images. Students are prompt to answer questions about infrared imaging. They then use the infrared Image Gallery to help guide them. A question that is asked what could the different colors mean?

Students work in small groups to explore temperature as a measure of the average heat or thermal energy of the particles in a substance. They examine geysers and geological hotspots and volcanic calderas associated with hot springs.