The Magic Balloon - Thermal Energy and Energy Transfer

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

8

Overview

This activity can be used at the beginning of a lesson on thermal energy or energy transfer. The teacher will conduct a demonstration involving two balloons (one only filled with air, the other filled with air and water) and place them over a flame.  The students will then make predictions, observations, and provide explanations based on the demonstration.

This activity was developed during the ALEX Resource Development Summit

Phase

Before/Engage
Science (2015) Grade(s): 8

SC15.8.15

Analyze and interpret data from experiments to determine how various factors affect energy transfer as measured by temperature (e.g., comparing final water temperatures after different masses of ice melt in the same volume of water with the same initial temperature, observing the temperature change of samples of different materials with the same mass and the same material with different masses when adding a specific amount of energy).

UP:SC15.8.15

Vocabulary

  • Factors
  • Matter
  • State of matter
  • Energy transfer
  • Temperature
  • Mass
  • Volume
  • Environment
  • Kinetic energy

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Various factors affect the transfer of energy.
  • The relationship between the temperature and the total energy of a system depends on the types, states, and amounts of matter present.
  • The amount of energy transfer needed to change the temperature of a sample of matter by a given amount depends on the nature of the matter, the size of the sample, and the environment.
  • Temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of particles of matter.
  • Temperature, when measured in Kelvin, is directly proportional to average kinetic energy.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Organize given data to allow for analysis and interpretation to determine how various factors affect energy transfer.
  • Analyze the data to identify possible causal relationships between various factors and energy transfer.
  • Interpret patterns observed from the data to provide causal accounts for events and make predictions for events by constructing explanations.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The relationship between the temperature and the total energy of a system depends on the types, states, and amounts of matter present.
  • Various factors, such as the state of matter, the amounts of matter present, and the environment, affect the amount of energy transfer needed to change the temperature of a sample of matter. A measure of temperature can indicate the amount of energy transfer.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Learning Objectives

Students will identify ways in which energy is transferred.

Students will identify factors that affect energy transfer.

Activity Details

This Learning Activity will be a whole group demonstration. The students will be given the magic balloon document. The teacher will explain that two balloons will be used, one filled with only air and one containing air and water, during the demonstration. First, the students will make predictions about what will happen when the balloons are placed over a flame on their magic balloon document, give the students several minutes to make predictions. Next, the teacher will then hold each balloon over the candle flame and allow the students to make observations and provide explanations for what they observed. The teacher can then lead a discussion about what happened and introduce several topics, including energy transfer and thermal energy.

Assessment Strategies

Assess student understanding through class discussion and written answers on the magic balloon document. The teacher may use this to probe student understanding of the topic and guide future lessons.

Variation Tips

The teacher may choose to vary the amount of water to see how it affects the time before the balloon pops. The teacher may also vary to distance between the flame and the balloon.

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to gather several materials, including a candle, lighter, balloons, water source, and appropriate safety gear. The teacher will need to practice before class to get the right level of water in the balloons. Remember to take appropriate safety precautions when working with fire. The teacher will either need to make paper copies of the magic balloon or share the document with students via an electronic source. The balloon without water should pop in just a few seconds because the latex will melt quickly, and the balloon containing water will last much longer over the flame before it pops if it pops at all. The water will absorb heat energy and act as a coolant. The warm water will rise to the top and create a convection current that will allow the cooler water to remain closer to the flame and absorb the heat energy, thus preventing the latex from melting.

The Magic Balloon Student Sheet
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z3O9KAzu4Rt2oPaJVNCqZLilhbHrapxQvNGcr9L6rDw…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

bsauls
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