MS - PS3.A (C2) - Thermal Energy Transfer - FINAL (WND 1/27/2014)

Module: Thermal Energy Transfer

DCI: PS3.A (C2) Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles of matter.  The relationship between the temperature and the total energy of a system depends on the types, states, and amounts of matter present.

PE: MS-PS3-3 Apply scientific processes to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.

PE: MS-PS3-4 Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.

[Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include an insulated box, a solar cooker, and a Styrofoam cup.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred.]

 [Clarification Statement: Examples of experiments could include comparing final water temperatures after different masses of ice melted in the same volume of water with the same initial temperature, the temperature change of samples of different materials with the same mass as they cool or heat in the environment, or the same material with different masses when a specific amount of energy is added.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include calculating the total amount of thermal energy transferred.]

The ideas we see in this standard are: 

- temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles of matter. 

- the relationship between temperature and the total energy of a system depends on the types, states, and amounts of matter present. 

There are two PE's to address -  one involves the design, construction, and testing of a device to minimize or maximize the transfer of energy and the other involves the factors that influence how well a particular material responds to changes in energy. 

Possible Question Starters: 

"Temperature can best be described as - the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance."

"Students want to build a device that will maintain the thermal energy of the substances placed inside that device as much as possible.  In order to do this, students should only consider using materials with which of the following properties?"

correct answer - poor conductors

incorrect answer - high melting points