1. Seeing Red (Temperature & Radiation)
PROBLEM
- Can the heat properties of materials be measured by non-contact interaction?
- Can the heat properties of materials be affected by non-contact interaction?
CURRICULUM LINK
- Everyday interactions between objects that result from contact and non-contact forces
Create a simple survey to introduce the concept of Infra-red (IR), and familiarise students with and IR thermometer.
If you will be using an Infra-red (IR) thermometer this is a good activity to familiarise students with some of the underlying science.
This will be an extremely useful tool to use for almost every heat experiment described below.
Watch the videos and select at least one practical experiment to perform, then discuss (some example activities/ideas can be found here.
Example Infra-red Thermometer - User Manual:
Video - Infra-red Radiation (IR) - How it works (6min)
- IF UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUTUBE, TRY:Viewpure
METHOD
- Use an infra-red light source to heat up an object
- Use a mobile phone or infra-red camera to view a TVV remote control unit when pressing buttons
QUESTION
- Is infra-red heat?
- Why can we feel but not see infra-red?
- How can we measure temperature using infra-red?
- What are some of the things that we use every day that also use infra-red - and how do they work?
DISCUSSION
- Share and compare the results of your investigations/experiments and convince others that your explanation is correct.
Video - Infra-red & Radiation Spectrum (5min)
- IF UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUTUBE, TRY:Viewpure
Video - Fire, Heat & Light (1.5min)
- IF UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUTUBE, TRY:Viewpure