Heat Energy Investigation

Name:

Date:

🔬 Part 1: Plan the Investigation

Learning intention: We are learning how heat energy changes matter and how to conduct a fair test.

Success criteria: I can make a prediction, record observations, identify patterns and explain changes using scientific vocabulary.

1. Investigation question: Which material keeps water warm for the longest?

Prediction: I think water covered with __________________________ will stay warmest because ____________________________________________.

Materials: identical cups, warm water, thermometer, timer or clock, insulation materials, labels, paper and pencil.

Safety: Hot or very warm water is handled by the teacher. Wear eye protection if available. Do not touch hot containers. Tell an adult about spills.

2. Fair test planning: Complete the variables.

Independent variable: the material used to cover the cup: ________________________________

Dependent variable: the __________________________________ of the water.

Controlled variables: Keep the cup type, amount of water, starting temperature and measuring times the same.

Method:

1. The teacher pours equal amounts of warm water into identical cups.

2. Label the cups with the insulation materials. Leave one cup uncovered if it is your comparison cup.

3. Wrap or cover each cup carefully with its assigned material.

4. Measure and record the temperature at 0, 5, 10 and 15 minutes.

5. Observe what changes. Compare the results and clean up safely.

3. Draw and label your setup. Include the cup, warm water, insulation material and thermometer.

🌡️ Part 2: Collect and Organise Evidence

Record the temperature in degrees Celsius (°C). Add the names of your three materials.

Materials tested: A: ____________________ B: ____________________ C: ____________________

Results table

Time Material A (°C) Material B (°C) Material C (°C)

0 minutes __________ __________ __________

5 minutes __________ __________ __________

10 minutes __________ __________ __________

15 minutes __________ __________ __________

4. What pattern can you see in the temperatures?

5. Which material kept the water warmest at 15 minutes? Use one result as evidence.

6. Was your prediction supported? Explain using the results.

7. Complete the conclusion.

The material that kept the water warmest was ____________________. This shows that ____________________ slows heat energy moving out of the water.

8. Choose the correct words to complete the sentence.

When ice gains heat energy, it can melt / freeze from a solid into a liquid. When water vapour cools, it can evaporate / condense into droplets.

I checked my choices.

💡 Part 3: Explain and Improve

9. Write one evidence-based explanation about a change of state.

I observed ____________________________________________________. This shows that heat energy ______________________________ because ________________________________________________.

10. Extension: Suggest one improvement to make this investigation a fairer or more accurate test.