Designing for Heat Transfer
Aligned to MS-PS3-3 — Next Generation Science Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Thermal energy moves from warmer to cooler objects by conduction, convection, and radiation. A good insulator slows this transfer, while a good conductor speeds it up.
Worked example
A vacuum flask keeps coffee hot by blocking all three paths — a vacuum stops conduction and convection, and a shiny inner wall reflects radiation back into the drink.
Practice questions
- Design an insulated cup that keeps ice from melting and label the materials you chose.
- Observe and record the temperature of water in two different containers over time.
- Explain how you would redesign your cup to transfer heat faster instead of slower.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Diseñar para la Transferencia de Calor
La energía térmica se mueve de los objetos más calientes a los más fríos por conducción, convección y radiación. Un buen aislante frena esta transferencia, mientras que un buen conductor la acelera.
Ejemplo: Un termo mantiene el café caliente al bloquear las tres vías — el vacío detiene la conducción y la convección, y una pared interior brillante refleja la radiación de vuelta hacia la bebida.
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