Heat Convection and Transference

We read in this house, it's what we do.   And I like to read  not only works of fiction, but works that teach.   Over 1000 fantastic science facts is our new "fact" book that we read after breakfast in the morning.

The other day our selection was entitled "When Science is Hot".   This section talked about the different ways that heat moves.   

1. Conduction
2. Thermal Radiation
3. Combustion

We also learned about using a thermometer to measure heat and about convection (how heat moves through liquids and gases).

The lad didn't understand some of this so I worked at helping him understand Conduction.

We took three identical mugs, three metal spoons and three plastic cutlery.

We put chocolate milk in one, hot lemonade in another (since I can't have chocolate) and hot chocolate in another and then let them sit.   

The lad then touched the handles of each.

MOM!   The spoon is hot!    
Why don't the plastic ones get hot mom?

It is good to have the ability to quickly heat liquids up in order to help a boy understand conduction eh?  :)

The added bonus is that then one gets to drink a favourite hot drink (and some cold as well).   We used the cold as a control.    Sometime I think I'd like to freeze some chocolate milk as well so the lad can see conduction (or lack thereof) in the three different temperatures extremes.  That takes longer to prepare though.

if you want to buy the book you can at the link below.   I got my copy at Costco for $7.