S3.8.5 For the adult
How heat travels
Why does the metal spoon in hot tea get hot, while the wooden spoon stays cool?
What this chapter teaches
Heat travels by conduction through solids, by convection in liquids and gases, and by radiation through empty space. Metals conduct heat well. Wood, plastic, cloth and air are insulators.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Why does a metal spoon get hot in a cup of tea but a wooden one does not?
- Why is the air near the ceiling warmer than the air near the floor?
- How does warmth from the Sun reach you across space?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Explain conduction, convection and radiation with examples from home
- Compare how fast metal and wooden spoons warm in hot water
What they copy into their notebook
Conduction: heat through solids, fast in metals. Convection: warm liquid or gas rises, cool sinks. Radiation: infrared crosses empty space. Insulators slow heat down.