1. Lesson Objective:
You will be able to analyze scenarios, drawing conclusions as to whether the mode of thermal energy transfer is conduction, convection, or radiation.

2. How do lava lamps work?
I use this slide as a think-pair-share, having students explain how lava lamps work to activate prior knowledge on convection currents.

3. Three Types of Thermal Energy Transfer
Conduction
Convection
Radiation

4. 1. Conduction:
Conduction transfers heat between two materials that are actually touching.

5. What are some examples of conduction?

6. Examples of Conduction:
Walking barefoot on a hot surface.
A pot on a stove.
Holding an ice cube; the ice cube will melt.
When your computer is on for a long time.

7. 2. Convection:
Convection is the transfer of heat in currents of gas or liquid when substances of different temperatures mix.

8. Cool air sinks, warm air rises

9. I use this slide to explain how convection currents are used to cook hard boiled eggs.

10. Convection Currents
If this video will not load, the link is

11. Hot air balloons are a great explanation and visual for convection currents. The warm air fills the balloon and lifts it off the ground, when ready to return, the flame goes down, cooling the air and pushing the balloon back down to earth.

12. 3. Radiation:
Transfer of heat energy that moves through empty space.

13. Conduction, Convection, or Radiation?

14. Heat is being transferred to the pot by –
1 = Conduction
2 = Convection
3 = Radiation

15. Beach sand getting warmed by the Sun is an example of what thermal energy transfer?
1 = Conduction
2 = Convection
3 = Radiation

16. While seated next to a camp fire, a person begins to feel hot
While seated next to a camp fire, a person begins to feel hot. Thermal energy is being transferred from the fire to the person by -
1 = Conduction
2 = Convection
3 = Radiation

17. Heat is transferred from the pot to the egg
Heat is transferred from the pot to the egg. The heat is carried through the water to get to the egg. What kind of thermal energy transfer is this an example of?
1 = Conduction
2 = Convection
3 = Radiation

18. Heat moving from a clothes iron to a shirt is an example of –
1 = Conduction
2 = Convection
3 = Radiation