Ice Candle and Specific Heat
Posted by: Peter Rillero in chemistry, Classroom Best Practices, computer assisted instruction, Earth Science, Great Science Software, High School Science, Middle School Science, On-Line Learning, physics, Science Activities, science education, Science Experiments, science instruction, science materials, Science Teachers, tags: gifts, heat transfer, ice candle
When it comes to gift giving, I suspect that science teachers tend to give gifts with richer science experiences than most other people. This is sometimes but not always appreciated, so moderation is required. This Christmas, my wife was the recipient of the “Mathmos Thaw” ice candle from think-geek.com. My iphone picture to the right shows the beauty of a candle shining through about ½ inches of frozen water.
One thing that science teachers appreciate more than your everyday person is the extremely high specific heat capacity of water. The high specific heat capacity of water has great demonstrations (for example “Flaming Hands”) and all sorts of implications such as more moderate climates when living near a large body of water and why water is so good at putting out fires. Adaptive Curriculum just released a new Activity Object entitled “Specific Heat.” Through a series of virtual experiments, students are led to an understanding of the amount of heat transferred or absorbed (Q) = mass (m) x change in temperature (∆T) x specific heat (c).
This Activity Object from Adaptive Curriculum is a fantastic way to help students develop a deep understanding of concepts related to heat transfer that are important in both physics and chemistry.
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Time lapse Mathmos Thaw From Think-Geek.com
“Thermodynamics is a funny subject. The first time you go through it, you don’t understand it at all. The second time you go through it, you think you understand it, except for one or two small points. The third time you go through it, you know you don’t understand it, but by that time you are so used to it, it doesn’t bother you anymore.” Arnold Sommerfeld (1868-1951) From: http://www.eoht.info/page/Arnold+Sommerfeld
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