G8.C1.W8

Thermal Energy Synthesis

MS-PS3-3 · MS-PS3-4 · How does thermal energy flow through a multi-material system?

Instructions

Driving Question: How does energy flow through connected materials with different thermal properties?

1. Choose materials for three connected blocks (conductor, insulator, phase-change).

2. Set the heat source temperature and click Start.

3. Watch temperature curves — notice how conductors heat fast, insulators slow, and phase-change materials plateau.

4. This synthesizes particle motion, conduction, insulation, and phase transitions from the entire cycle!

150°C
System View
Temperature vs Time

Temperatures (t = 0s)

Heat Source:150°C
Block A:20°C
Block B:20°C
Block C:20°C
Block C State:Solid

Synthesis Concepts

Conduction: heat flows from hot to cold through particle collisions
Conductors vs insulators: thermal conductivity (k) determines transfer rate
Phase change: temperature plateaus while energy breaks intermolecular bonds
Equilibrium: all connected objects eventually reach the same temperature
Data JournalTrial 0
# Time Source A(°C) B(°C) C(°C) C State
Data Journal — Record & Analyze Your Experiments
#Heat source temperatureObservation
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Predict

If Block A is copper (good conductor) and Block B is styrofoam (insulator), will Block C ever reach the heat source temperature? Why or why not?

Observe

Compare the temperature curves. Which block heats fastest? Where do you see a plateau? What does the plateau tell you about energy?

Explain

Using all Cycle 1 concepts (particle motion, conduction, insulation, phase change), explain why a thermos keeps drinks hot. Which material acts as Block B?