Melting temperatures: research
I can research and compare the melting temperatures of common materials.
Melting temperatures: research
I can research and compare the melting temperatures of common materials.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The melting temperature of a material is the temperature at which it changes from solid state to liquid state.
- Different materials have different melting temperatures.
- It is hard for scientists to create temperatures high enough to make some materials melt.
- Melting temperatures can be researched using secondary sources of information.
- When carrying out research, more than one source should be used to check that the information is accurate and reliable.
Keywords
Melting temperature - The melting temperature of a material is the temperature at which it turns from solid state to liquid state.
Solid - A solid has a fixed shape and volume but some solids can change shape when a force is applied.
Liquid - A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom of its container.
Degrees Celsius - Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius, often abbreviated to °C.
Secondary sources - Secondary sources are texts, images or objects created using information gathered by others.
Common misconception
Children may think that only common materials such as ice melt; that materials cannot melt at room temperature or that when something melts, the liquid is a different substance to the original solid.
Children are shown a range of materials with different melting temperatures which range from below to above room temperature. They are taught to refer to materials in a way that highlights the fact that the material is still the same substance.
Equipment
None
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
keeps its shape unless a force is applied to it
takes the shape of the bottom of its container
fills its container
Exit quiz
6 Questions
