Lesson 2: Heat Transfer — Conduction, Convection, and Radiation
Duration of Days: 4
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to explain and compare conduction, convection, and radiation, and analyze how thermal energy is transferred in different materials and systems.
-How does thermal energy move between objects?
-What is conduction and where does it occur?
-How does convection transfer heat in fluids?
-What is radiation and how does it differ from other forms of heat transfer?
-How do these processes work together in real-world systems?
-Thermal energy
-Heat
-Conduction
-Convection
-Radiation
-Insulator
-Conductor
-Fluid
-Temperature
-Particle motion
HS-PS3-1 – Model energy transfer within systems.
HS-PS3-2 – Use conservation of energy to explain thermal energy movement.
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts
-Energy and Matter
-Cause and Effect
-Systems and System Models
-Structure and Function
-Students will interpret diagrams of heat transfer processes in solids, liquids, and gases.
-Students will analyze real-world systems such as stoves, atmosphere, and oceans to explain thermal energy movement.
-Students will construct explanations using evidence from models and experiments.
Students will investigate how thermal energy is transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation. Through hands-on labs, simulations, and real-world examples, students will analyze how energy moves through different states of matter and systems.
Activities may include:
-Conduction lab using metals and heat sources
-Convection tank or water movement simulation
-Radiation comparison using light and heat sources
-Analyzing heat transfer in Earth systems such as atmosphere and oceans
Purpose: Develop understanding of thermal energy transfer mechanisms and their role in natural and engineered systems.
DOK Level: 3 – Strategic Thinking
-Students connect heat transfer to cooking, weather patterns, climate systems, clothing design, and building insulation.
-Students may think heat rises because it is “lighter.”
-Students may believe cold moves instead of heat transferring.
-Students may confuse radiation with radioactive materials.
-Visual particle motion models
-Guided lab procedures
-Structured CER writing frames
-Diagrams with labeled heat flow
-Group experiments for conduction and convection comparison
-Peer discussion of explanations
-Lab conclusions
-Heat transfer diagram labeling
-Quizzes on conduction, convection, and radiation
-CER explanations of heat transfer systems
-Exit tickets identifying heat transfer type in scenarios
-Heat lamps
-Metal rods or spoons
-Water tanks for convection
-Thermometers
-Diagrams of thermal systems