TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Hot Is It?
Students learn about the nature of thermal energy, temperature and how materials store thermal energy. They discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation of thermal energy, and complete activities in which they...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Heat Transfer
Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail...
Read Works
Read Works: What Is Heat?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about heat and how it is transferred from one object to another. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Steve Spangler Science: Denver's Brown Cloud
Learn how fluids move through our atmosphere and water. This experiment explains atmospheric convection currents (thunderstorms), the Gulf Stream, and temperature inversion. A video is included.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Convection
Using understandable words and exceptional graphics, this page describes the transfer of energy by means of the convection process. Contains several links to related topics.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Radiation Cooling of Body
Discusses the means by which the body regulates its temperature. The role of radiation in this process is explained. An equation for calculating the rate at which energy is transferred by radiation is presented. Also, an interactive...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Radiation
The process of energy transfer by radiation is discussed. An equation for calculating the rate of radiative energy transfer is provided. Variables in the equation are explained. An interactive form allows for problem-solving practice...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: About Temperature
This site from the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research provides a lengthy page covering numerous topics including the difference between heat and temperature, the use of different temperature scales, thermal expansion, how a...
University of Sydney (Australia)
University of Sydney: Structure and Properties of Materials/thermal Physics
An exhaustive set of "lecture notes" on various topics in thermal physics (including thermal expansion). Explanations are well done and more interesting than most. Includes both a mathematical and conceptual treatment of topics. Humor,...
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey: Heat Transfer
A discussion from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey of the thermal factors effecting the movement of air masses in the atmosphere. Numerous topics such as methods of heat transfer, latent heat, phase changes (including sublimation and...
University of California
Ucmp: Plate Tectonics: The Mechanism
A basic description of the driving force behind plate movement. Describes major features of the ocean floor including mid-oceanic ridges.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Pie Pan Convection
In this experiment, students observe what happens when a pan of soapy, colored water is heated. They will see that convection currents cause the fluid to rise and sink in a localized convection cell.
Wisc-Online
Wisc Online: Heat and Heat Transfer Part 2
After completing Heat Transfer 1, review heat and heat transfer by solving these seven terms.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Thermal Physics: Methods of Heat Transfer
With illustrated examples, students better understand the three methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Mantle Convection and Plate Tectonics
Learn about the fundamental planetary process that has profoundly influenced the character and evolution of Earth, mantle convection.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Atmospheric Processes: Convection
This site provides a pair of activities to demonstrate convection currents in air and water. Encourages students to view air as a fluid.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Examples of Convection
Gives lots of examples of convection and instructions for a simple experiment that looks at convection currents in a fluid.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Convection
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Definition of convection, how it occurs, and examples of convection.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Earth's Mantle
The composition and behavior of the Earth's mantle. [Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Physical Science: Transfer of Thermal Energy
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the conduction of thermal energy, how convection transfers thermal energy, and provides an example of the radiation of thermal energy.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Make a Thunderstorm
Learners learn about convection and how air moves through a simulation.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Popping Hot
For this lesson students will discover the different forms of heat transfer such as conduction, convection, and radiation and that these forms can be demonstrated by popping popcorn. Students will learn the health benefits of popcorn,...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: A Global Look at Moving Air: Atmospheric Circulation
Even with disruptions like weather fronts and storms, there is a consistent pattern to how air moves around our planet's atmosphere. This pattern, called atmospheric circulation, is caused because the Sun heats the Earth more at the...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Investigating Convection
Students will plan and conduct an experiment that investigates convection currents.