Heat at Home
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Temperature
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Temperature is a measurement of how fast the molecules in something are moving. The movement of molecules is known as kinetic energy. Therefore, temperature is a measurement of the kinetic energy.
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Digital thermometer
Central heating systems can be controlled by thermostats
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A thermometer contains liquid that expands when it is heated and contracts when it is cooled. In the past, glass thermometers contained a silver substance called mercury. Nowadays, they contain alcohol with red dye added to make the alcohol more visible and the thermometer easier to read. Digital thermometers are popular because they are very easy to read.
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Heat is a form of energy and temperature is the measurement of that energy. Temperature can be measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F), using a thermometer. We use the Celsius scale in Ireland. Water boils at 100°C (212°F) and freezes at 0°C (32°F).
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Scientists sometimes measure temperature in Kelvins. The Kelvin scale uses absolute zero as its starting point. Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature in the entire universe! Absolute zero equals -273.15°C on the Celsius scale.
Which material keeps water hot for longest?
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Equipment: ceramic container, plastic container and metal container (all roughly the same size), sticky tape, three thermometers, hand-hot water Action: ● Use sticky tape to secure a thermometer to each container. ● Add the same amount of handhot water to each container. ● On your worksheet, record the temperature of each container every five minutes. Which material kept the water hot for longest?
PCM 3
01 Edco Explore with Me 5 September.indd 35
Revision quiz
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16/02/2022 12:40
