Students
know the relationship between heat and temperature. I/S
Students often view heat and temperature to be synonymous; they are
not. This is a major misconception that will prevent students from
fully understanding energy transfer. In basic terms heat is a transfer
of energy from hot to cold objects. On the other hand, temperature
is a quantity that tells how hot or cold something is compared to
a standard.
Heat may be defined as energy in transit from a high temperature
object to a lower temperature object. An object does not possess "heat";
the appropriate term for the microscopic energy in an object is internal
energy. The internal energy of an object may be increased by transferring
energy from a higher temperature (hotter) object, this is commonly
called heating. However, the object can absorb heat and undergo no
change in temperature. A change in temperature is designated by the
type of energy storage (i.e., potential or kinetic). See the concept
map below for examples of heat transfer.
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In an ideal gas, temperature is a measure of the average translational
(picture “sliding” molecules) kinetic energy associated
with the disordered microscopic motion of atoms and molecules. In
solids and liquids, molecules are more constrained, and in addition
to their kinetic energy, they have a significant component of potential
energy. Therefore, the calculation of temperature is more complex.
In general terms, temperature measures how “hot” or how
“cold” something is compared to a standard. Nearly all
matter expands when its temperature increases and contracts when its
temperature decreases, as the matter approaches thermal equilibrium.
The common thermometer works according to thermal equilibrium. The
thermometer measures temperature by showing the expansion and contraction
of a liquid, most often mercury or alcohol, in a glass tube with gradations.
The faster the molecules within the material are moving, the more
they “bump” into the liquid in the thermometer. This is
a transfer of kinetic energy from the material to the liquid within
the thermometer. The liquid in the thermometer continues to expand
or contract until it reaches thermal equilibrium with the material
in which it is measuring. Thermometers can not measurement the total
amount of internal energy in an object, only the average translational
kinetic energy.
To learn more about thermal equilibrium go to
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/thermo0.html
The Celsius scale is the most commonly used temperature scale. The
Celsius scale is based on water at standard atmospheric pressure assigning
a value of 0° for freezing water and 100° for boiling water. The gradations
between freezing and boiling water is divided into 100 equal parts.
Gradations on the Celsius scale and the Kelvin (absolute temperature)
scale are equivalent. On the Kelvin scale the number 0 is assigned
to the lowest possible temperature, absolute zero. At absolute zero
a substance has no kinetic energy to give up.
To learn more about temperature and scales go to
http://www.eo.ucar.edu/skymath/tmp2.html#Dev.
Heat and temperature are related in terms of internal energy. The
internal energy of a substance is a measure of the amount of kinetic
and potential energy. Their relationship is governed by the laws of
thermodynamics.
The First Law of Thermodynamics is explained through energy transfer
(both heat and mechanical energy as work). The law states that the
change in the internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added
to the system minus the work done by the system. This is written as:
The change in the internal energy (ΔU) of a system is a change in
the potential and kinetic energy of the system. The relationship between
heat (energy transfer) and temperature is found in the type of energy
storage, either potential (no gain in temperature) or kinetic (gain
in temperature).
To learn more about internal energy go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/inteng.html#c2.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics designates that, in the absence
of an external effort, heat flows only from higher to lower temperature,
and that some energy is lost to the environment. The amount of heat
that is lost to the environment depends greatly upon the efficiency
of the system. This heat loss adds to the disorder of a system, this
disorder is called entropy.
To learn more about the Second Law of Thermodynamics go to
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/thermo1.html
The SI unit for heat is the joule (J). The most common form of quantifying
heat is with the measurement of a calorie. The calorie is the amount
of heat needed to raise 1g of water by 1°C. Food Calories, 1000 calories,
are also a common quantifier of energy. The relationship between calories
and joules is that 1 calorie is equal to 4.187 J. The energy value
in food is determined by burning the food and measuring the quantity
of internal energy that is released as heat.
Heat can be measured as sensible heat and latent heat. Sensible heat
can be calculated through the equation Q = mcΔT, where the mass (kg)
of the material multiplied by the specific heat of the material multiplied
by the change in temperature of the material. Specific heat is the
measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature
of a unit of mass of a substance by one degree. This is a direct relationship
between temperature change and heat.
To learn more about specific heat go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/spht.html#c1
Latent heat refers to the amount of energy that must be absorbed
or emitted in order for a material to complete a phase change. The
equation for latent heat is Qf = mHf and Qv = mHv, where the mass
(kg) of the material multiplied by the latent heat of fusion (J/kg)
[or vaporization (J/kg)] is equal to the amount of energy required
for the phase change. The temperature of a material does not change
during a phase change even though the material is being heated. If
energy is added then the internal energy of the system is increasing
as heating occurs, but the energy is stored as potential energy. This
is why it is undetectable with a thermometer.
To learn more about latent heat and phase change go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/phase.html#c1.

Heat transfer occurs because there is a temperature difference between
two objects and there are three basic mechanisms in which heat is
transferred between objects of different temperature: (1) conduction,
(2) convection, and (3) radiation.
• Conduction occurs within materials and between materials
that are in direct contact. Materials that conduct heat well are known
as conductors. Materials that are poor conductors are referred to
as insulators.
To learn more about conduction go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heatra.html#c2.
• Convection occurs by currents through a fluid. Fluids may
be defined as a liquid or gas. Convection cells are caused by heating
and changes in density. As a heated medium expands it becomes less
dense than the surrounding material, this is what causes it to rise.
To learn more about convection go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heatra.html#c3.
• Radiation is the transfer of energy (including heat) through
electromagnetic waves. This form of heat does not require a medium
in which to travel. Energy is carried away from the emitting object.
To learn more about radiation go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/stefan.html#c2.
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Content Benchmark P.12.C.5
Students know the relationship between heat and temperature. I/S
Common misconceptions associated with this benchmark:
1. Students incorrectly believe that “heat is
an object or something other than energy.”
Students often want to view heat as a property of a material. This
is not a new misconception as the word calorie stems from caloric,
which was once thought to be an invisible heat fluid. Today we know
that heat is one of three ways in which energy is transferred.
To learn more about heat as a form of energy transfer go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heat.html#c1.
2. Students incorrectly think that when objects are
heated the particles expand and when objects are cooled the particles
contract.
Students need to realize that thermal expansion and contraction doesn’t
occur within the molecule. The atoms do not expand and contract. Expansion
is due to the increase in vibrational, rotational, and translational
kinetic energy gain. If you were to drop a box of golf balls off the
roof of a second story building the balls, upon hitting the ground,
would bounce and scatter. This is similar to thermal expansion in
that the golf balls, like the material undergoing thermal expansion,
do not grow in size as they increase the amount of space between other
balls.
To learn more about thermal expansion go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/thexp.html#c1
To learn how to use thermal expansion too your advantage, go to
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/jarlid.html#c1.
3. Students may incorrectly think that temperature
depends on the material
(i.e., metal is colder than fabric or that
blankets and coats are warm objects because clothes keep you warm.
The above misconception stems from the thought that energy is a property
of an object and the lack of understanding about how energy is transferred.
A tile floor will “feel” colder. This is true, but not
because tile is an inherently “cold” material. This is
true because tile is a good conductor of heat compared to carpet.
While students walk on a tile floor energy transfers, according to
the Second Law of Thermodynamics, from their feet to the floor. This
also occurs with a carpeted floor just not as quickly because carpet
has trapped air which is an insulator.
To learn more about thermal conductors and insulators go to
http://hypertextbook.com/physics/thermal/conduction/.
4. Students incorrectly believe that temperatures are
additive.
“If you mix 40 degree water with 40 degree water you get 80°
water, or more than 40° water.” This is a common misconception
that occurs because students lack a complete understanding of the
concept of internal energy and work. If you were to mixing two sources
of water at the same temperature then the resulting temperature will
be the same. This is an offshoot of the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics,
which concerns thermal equilibrium. Also, if the amounts of water
are different then their resulting temperature will be a function
of their masses and original temperatures.
To learn more about the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics, go to
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/
WWW/K-12/airplane/thermo0.html
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Content
Benchmark P.12.C.5
Students know the relationship between heat and temperature. I/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Describe heat and temperature using kinetic energy of particles.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
- The sum of the kinetic and potential energies of an object’s molecules is referred to as the object’s
- temperature.
- heat of fusion.
- specific heat.
- thermal (internal) energy
- A thermometer is a device that measures
- average heat transferred.
- average internal energy.
- average kinetic motion.
- average molecular volume.
- Of the following, which state of matter refers to a material with the lowest amount of average translational kinetic energy of its molecules?
- Solid
- Liquid
- Gas
- Plasma
- Two blocks of metal are placed into an insulated container and there is a net transfer of heat between the blocks. Which of the following statements is true?
- The blocks started with the same temperature.
- The blocks have a different specific heat.
- The blocks started with different temperatures.
- The blocks have the same melting point.
- If material X has a higher temperature than material Y, then the molecules in material X are moving at
- an average slower speed then those of material Y.
- the same speed of material Y.
- an average greater speed then those of material Y.
- average speeds that are not comparable to material Y.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
- The graph below represents the temperature of 6.0 kg of water as a function of energy added to the substance. Use the graph to answer the following question.

(From http://itl.chem.ufl.edu/2045_s00/lectures/lec_f.html )
During which intervals, shown on the graph, is the average potential energy of the molecules of the material increasing?
- AB and CD
- BC and DE
- CD and DE
- AB and EF
- The graph below represents the temperature of 6.0 kg of water as a function of energy added to the substance. Use the graph to answer the following question.

(From http://itl.chem.ufl.edu/2045_s00/lectures/lec_f.html )
During which intervals, shown on the graph, is the average translational kinetic energy of the molecules of the material increasing?
- AB and CD
- CD and DE
- BC and CD
- AB and DE
- If you mix 50 g of water at 100°C with 50 g of water at 0°CC what estimate will MOST likely be the resulting temperature of the 100 g of water?
- 100°C
- 75°C
- 50°C
- 25°C
- Why does a ceramic tile floor feel colder than a carpeted floor when they are in the same room?
- A ceramic tile floor has less heat than a carpeted floor.
- A carpeted floor feels warmer because it has a higher temperature.
- A ceramic tile floor is a better thermal conductor than a carpeted floor.
- A carpeted floor transfers energy faster than a ceramic tile floor.
- Water is spilled on a table on a hot summer day. Which statement best describes what is occurring as water evaporates off of the surface?
- As water evaporates it requires energy causing the temperature of the
surface to increase.
- Water evaporating will transfer energy causing the surface to change into
a different state of matter.
- The water that evaporates will immediately condense back onto the surface.
- As water evaporates it draws energy away from the surface causing a
decrease in surface temperature.
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Content Benchmark P.12.C.5
Students know the relationship between heat and temperature. I/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
- D, DOK Level 1
- C, DOK Level 1
- A, DOK Level 1
- C, DOK Level 1
- C, DOK Level 1
- B, DOK Level 2
- A, DOK Level 2
- C, DOK Level 2
- C, DOK Level 2
- D, DOK Level 2
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Content Benchmark P.12.C.5
Students
know the relationship between heat and temperature. I/S
Intervention Strategies and Resources
The following is a list of intervention strategies and resources
that will facilitate student understanding of this benchmark.
1. ThePhysicsFront.org Lessons, Activities,
and Resources
The National Science Foundation, American Association of Physics Teachers,
and National Science Digital Library has created ThePhysicsFront.org
, a Web site for Physics Educators that has a collection of high-quality,
ready to use lesson plans. The lesson plans are complete with labs,
activities and further resources.
Lesson plans and activities for heat and temperature can be found
at
http://www.thephysicsfront.org/search/search.cfm
2. HyperPhysics Web Site
Georgia State University’s Hyperphysics (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html)
Web site is one of the most complete physics content resources available.
The site is a lattice of concept maps with hyperlinks to each topic.
Most topics have an outline of content with links to further content,
applets for practice problems, and further resources. Students can
click on concepts within the concept maps to view more information,
and see the interconnections throughout basic physics concepts
The section that deals with heat and temperature is
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/heacon.html#heacon
3. Hands-On-Physics Problem Solving Unit
The Concord Consortium’s Hands-On-Physics Web site offers a
unit on heat and temperature. The unit presents several projects which
will help your students understand heat. Students start by learning
how to measure temperature. As the unit unfolds, students are introduced
to the major concepts of heat and temperature through a series of
interesting projects.
For information about Hands-On-Physics go to http://hop.concord.org/h1/info/h1i.html
4. Interactive Heat Experiment
Davidson University offers an exercise that explores the changes that
occur to a substance during heating. The site is linked to an applet
that allows students to manipulate variables within a phase change
experiment. At the outset of the experiment, a cylinder is equipped
with a movable barrier and contains 0.200 mole of a pure solid. The
barrier is exposed to the atmosphere and thus the material in the
cylinder experiences a constant pressure at all times during the experiment.
During the experiment students can view temperature time graph that
plots a phase change graph. Questions follow the graph to check for
understanding.
To learn more go to
http://www.chm.davidson.edu/ChemistryApplets/PhaseChanges/HeatingCurve.html.
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