Sixth-Grade Heat Transfer Projects
Heat transfer involves energy moving from one physical system to another. Its a phenomenon that offers many different possibilities for science projects. Sixth-grade heat transfer lessons can focus on the transfer of energy from a source to various household objects and metals.
Other People Are Reading
-
Thermal Conductivity for Different Metals
-
This science project demonstrates the different levels at which heat is conducted through various common metals. Sixth-grade students can use aluminum, brass, copper and steel for this purpose. Each metal rod should be bent into a U shape, and each end of the U-shaped rod should be placed into a Styrofoam cup; one is filled with room-temperature water and the other with ice cubes. Students should measure the decrease in temperature of the room-temperature water over the course of 30 minutes. Each rod should then be evaluated to see how much heat was conducted out of the room-temperature water.
Simple Heat Engines
-
Design a simple heat engine by using a tin can. Insert two thin brass tubes into the can at the top, directly opposite each other. Bend the tubes so that they are touching the can at one point and crimp them together. This allows steam to build up in the can. Punch two holes in the top of the can directly across from each other with a small nail. Insert two small brass tubes into each hole. Press the tubes against the can. Solder the tubes to the can. Solder a length of beaded brass chain to the top of the can. Insert a piece of rubber into the lid of the can to serve as a gasket. Fill the can with water, put on the lid and hang the can over a Sterno heater. As the pressure builds up in the can, the can will start to spin from the heat energy.
-
Rubber Bands and Heat Conduction
-
Students should place their thumbs through the ends of heavy rubber bands and hold them to their foreheads or lips. Do not have student stretch the bands at all. Students should then move the rubber band slightly away from their faces without touching their skin. Have them stretch the bands as far as possible and touch them to their foreheads or lips again. Observe whether the band feels warmer, cooler or about the same as when it was relaxed. Have them move the stretched rubber bands away from their faces again and let them relax. They should hold them against their skin again and observe whether or not they feel warm or cool. Practice the test a few times to confirm the results.
Glass and Heat Conduction
-
This science project tests which type of glass is the best at holding out radiant heat and cold air. Make insulated boxes of wood to hold three pieces of glass: single-pane, double-pane and Low E. Slide each piece of glass into the box and put a heat lamp in front of one box at a time. The heat lamp should be about 6 inches away from the glass. Leave the heat lamp in front of the glass for about 5 minutes and check the temperatures inside the boxes. Place each box in a walk-in freezer and test the temperature for cold conditions. Test each type of glass 10 times in each condition.
-
References
- Photo Credit Heat image by Dave from Fotolia.com
