Energy and substance
I can describe differences between the energy of different substances at the same temperature.
Energy and substance
I can describe differences between the energy of different substances at the same temperature.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- It is easier to increase the temperature of some materials than others.
- The mass of particles and the attractive forces between particles are different in different substances.
- Different substances need different amounts of heating to reach the same temperature.
- The same amount of different materials at the same temperature can cause different amounts of heating.
- The higher the specific heat capacity, the more energy 1 kg of a substance has, at a temperature, in the thermal store.
Common misconception
Pupils rarely develop an intuitive understanding of what specific heat capacity means when it is introduced through an equation.
Use this lesson to develop a qualitative understanding of the specific heat capacity of objects, without introducing the equation for specific heat capacity.
Keywords
Heating - when energy transfers from high to low temperature
Specific heat capacity - the property of a material that determines how much energy needs to be transferred to it to increase its temperature
Thermal store - the energy a substance has because of the random motion of its particles
Equipment
Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze, glass beaker (250 ml), balance, cooking oil, 0–100°C thermometer
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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).
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Starter quiz
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