Heat on the Move Reading Guide
Physical Science • Thermal Energy
Name: Date:
Heat on the Move! 3 Ways Thermal Energy Travels
Big Science Rule: Heat is thermal energy, and it always flows from warmer things to cooler things until temperatures balance out!
1
Conduction
Heat by Touch
Trick: Con-TOUCH-tion!
Heat passes directly between two things that are physically touching. Tiny particles vibrate and bump into their neighbors, passing heat along like a line of dominoes!
Hot Soup Metal Spoon Your Fingers!
Real-Life Examples:
- 🥄 Spoon handle gets warm in hot cocoa.
- 🦶 Bare feet touching hot summer sidewalk.
- 🧊 Ice cube melting in your warm hand.
2
Convection
Heat by Flow
Trick: Warm Rises, Cool Sinks!
Heat travels through liquids and gases (fluids). Warm fluid expands, becomes lighter, and floats up. Cool fluid sinks down, creating a swirling circular current!
Warm Rises 🔄 Current Loop Cool Sinks
Real-Life Examples:
- 🫕 Water rolling in a boiling soup pot.
- 🎈 Hot air balloon rising up into the sky.
- 🏠 Attic or top bunk feels extra warm.
3
Radiation
Heat by Waves
Trick: Rays Through Space!
Heat travels as invisible waves across empty air or outer space. It requires no direct touch and no fluid! When heat rays strike an object, they make it warmer.
☀️ Sun / Fire ~~~ waves ~~~ Your Face
Real-Life Examples:
- ☀️ Sun warming you through a car window.
- 🔥 Warming your hands near a cozy fire.
- 🍞 Glowing coils inside a bread toaster.
The Campfire Wonder: All Three Working Together!
One Scene • 3 Types of Heat
🍳 Conduction (Touch)
Heat travels from burning coals into the metal pan, and up the metal handle to touch your hand.
Pan touches fire 🔥
💨 Convection (Flow)
Hot smoke and air float high up into the night sky, while warm soup rolls and swirls in the pot.
Hot air & water rise 🎈
✨ Radiation (Waves)
Invisible heat rays beam across the air to warm your face and toast your marshmallows from afar.
Heat waves through air 〰️
Heat Detective Challenge: Which type of heat is moving? Write: Conduction, Convection, or Radiation
1. Holding a warm mug of cocoa warms up your cold hands:
Answer:
2. Warm ocean water swirls and creates a gentle sea breeze:
Answer:
3. A lizard sunbathes on a rock to absorb heat from sunlight:
Answer:
