Heat Transfer Lab

The purpose of this lab is to investigate heat transfer. Below are various procedures that you can do to demonstrate a method of heat transfer. You need to choose 3 of the procedures given below to perform. You will need to include a data table and answer the associated analysis questions for each procedure performed. In addition to carrying out the procedures, you need to write a formal lab report. Use the information below to help guide you through writing your lab report. When you get to the Procedure section, remember that you only are required to do 3.

  1. Develop a Hypothesis related to how heat is transferred. A hypothesis is an educated guess as to the outcome of the experiment. Based on prior knowledge or research conducted, what do you think will happen as you carry out each procedure?

Hypothesis:

  1. Write an introduction paragraph related to heat transfer. Include information about types of substances that can transfer heat readily and why this is so. To help you get started in thinking about this, find an area in your home that has carpet and tile, take your socks off and place one foot on each piece of flooring. Does it feel the same on your feet when you stand on tile and when you stand on carpet? If the air temperature in the room is the same, why would one feel cooler than another?

Introduction Paragraph:

  1. Procedures. Please indicate on your paper which procedures you have chosen to conduct. Remember, you only need to choose to do 3 of the procedures below.

Procedure 1: Colored Ice in Water

Materials Needed: water, red food coloring, ice cube tray (or way to freeze the water), clear cup/glass.

  1. Make a red colored ice cube by placing red food coloring in water. Place the red water in an ice tray and tree the red water.
  2. Once frozen, place the red ice cube in a clear cup of warm water.
  3. Observe what happens as the ice cube melts.
  4. Draw your results and explain what you observed.
  5. Answer the following Analysis Questions:
  • What is happening to the water molecules in this procedure? Be sure to talk about the water molecules of the frozen ice cube as well as those of the liquid water.
  • What does heat transfer have to do with this procedure?

Procedure 2: Balloon Inflating

Materials Needed: 3 balloons, empty plastic bottles (two 500 mL size and one 2 L size), hot water, cold water, freezer, sink or pot.

  1. Stretch out 3 balloons as if you were about to blow them up.
  2. Stretch the neck of a balloon over the top of the two 500 mL size empty bottles and the one 2 Liter size bottle. Pull the balloon down so that the neck of the balloon goes over all the threads of the bottle.
  3. Place one of the 500 mL size bottles with the balloon and the 2 Liter size bottle with the balloon into the freezer for 5 minutes (30 minutes for a dramatic effect).
  4. Put the second 500 mL bottle on the counter as a control. Remember we use the control to be able to compare what is happening.
  5. Run hot water to partially fill a sink, pitcher or pot.
  6. Take the 500 mL bottle from the freezer and put it in the container of hot water and hold it down until the water is ¾ up the side of the bottle. Hold it in place. Watch what happens.
  7. Do the same as Step 6 but for the 2 Liter bottle and the 500 mL bottle that was sitting on the counter.
  8. Given the procedure above, design a data table in which you will collect your data. Include any pictures or drawings of your results.
  9. Answer the following Analysis Questions:
  • What is happening to the air molecules in this procedure?
  • Was there a difference in observation between the 500 mL bottle and the 2 L bottle? If so, why did the difference occur?
  • What does heat transfer have to do with this procedure?

Procedure 3: Butter Melt

Materials Needed: 2 same size slices of butter, 1 metal knife, 1 plastic knife, a glass of hot water from faucet (not boiling).

  1. Poke each knife into a piece of butter.
  2. Place the handles of the knives into the hot water glass with the butter slices sticking up into the air.
  3. Observe what happens as each of the pieces of butter melts. Be sure to include an description of your results.
  4. Answer the following Analysis Questions:
  • What is happening to the molecules within each knife in this procedure?
  • What does heat transfer have to do with this procedure?

Procedure 4: White vs. Black Construction Paper

Materials Needed: piece of white construction paper, piece of black construction paper, 2 plastic zip lock bags, 2 thermometers, desk lamp (or some source of directed light source).

  1. Place a piece of white construction paper in a sealed plastic bag with a thermometer inside on top of the construction paper.
  2. Do the same with a piece of black construction paper in a separate sealed plastic bag. Make sure both pieces of construction paper are the same size.
  3. Place both bags equal distance, about 50 cm, from a desk lamp or in direct sunlight.
  4. Check the temperatures every minute for 5 minutes for 20 minutes and record.
  5. Given the procedure above, design a data table in which you will collect your data. Include any pictures or drawings of your results.
  6. Answer the following Analysis Questions:
  • Was there a difference in temperatures between the white and black construction paper? If so, why did the difference occur?
  • What is happening to the air molecules above each color construction paper in this procedure?
  • What does heat transfer have to do with this procedure?

Procedure 5: Melting Ice Cubes

Materials Needed: several ice cubes close in size, metal spoon, timer, lighter or match.

  1. Place an ice cube on a metal spoon on the counter at room temperature.
  2. Record the time it takes for the ice cube to completely melt. In addition, make observations with how the ice cube melts.
  3. Place another ice cube about the same size on a metal spoon onto the stovetop or a plate. Without touching the spoon begin to heat the handle of the spoon with a lighter or a match.
  4. Record the time it takes for the ice cube to completely melt. In addition, make observations with how the ice cube melts.
  5. Given the procedure above, design a data table in which you will collect your data. Include any pictures or drawings of your results.
  6. Answer the following Analysis Questions:
  • What is happening to the molecules of the spoon when heated to make the ice melt?
  • What does heat transfer have to do with this procedure?
  1. Write a conclusion paragraph. In the paragraph state whether your data supports or refutes your hypothesis. Discuss any modifications you would do if you conducted thevarious procedures again. Discuss how accurate and precise your measurements were and if there was anything that could be done different to improve your measurements. Talk about what you have learned by conducting this experiment.

Conclusion Paragraph: