Cooling curve: practical
I can conduct an investigation to create and analyse cooling curves and identify where state changes are happening on temperature vs time graphs.
Cooling curve: practical
I can conduct an investigation to create and analyse cooling curves and identify where state changes are happening on temperature vs time graphs.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- State changes are visible as plateaus on cooling curves.
- As it cools, a substance transfers energy into the surroundings by heating and it may condense or freeze.
- Energy is released to the surroundings as a substance cools and this is observed as a decrease in substance temperature.
- Graphs provide a visual representation of data for easier analysis and help identify trends/patterns.
Keywords
Plateau - A plateau is a section of a graph that does not change value (stays at the same level for a period of time).
Melting point - The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from solid state to a liquid state.
Freezing - Freezing is the process of a substance changing from a liquid state to a solid state.
Temperature - Measured using a thermometer (commonly in °C). Temperature is an indirect measure of the energy of the particles in a substance.
Common misconception
All substances freeze when really cold, like water.
Show state changes using particle diagrams / kinetic energy model. Challenge pupils to identify state given real world temperature data.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Cooling curve: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Cooling curve: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Fuels and energetics unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
particles have the strongest forces of attraction
particles have some (weakened) forces of attraction
particles have fully overcome forces of attraction
Exit quiz
6 Questions
