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E. Earth and Space Systems · Heat in the Environment

Heat in the Environment: Unit Review

A1.1 A1.2 A1.3 A1.4 A1.5 A2.1 A2.2 A3.1 A3.2 A3.3 E1.1 E1.2 E2.1 E2.2 E2.3 E2.4 E2.5 E2.6 E2.7 E2.8About 40 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can use the particle theory to explain temperature, heat, expansion and changes of state.
  • I can explain and give examples of conduction, convection and radiation in daily life and in nature.
  • I can explain how radiation and greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature, and how emissions can be reduced.
  • I can assess technologies that reduce heat loss and analyse the impacts of energy sources.

Words to know

particle theory
The scientific explanation that all matter is made of tiny moving particles with spaces and attractions between them.
heat
Thermal energy transferred from a warmer object to a cooler one.
conduction
Heat transfer by direct contact between particles.
convection
Heat transfer by the movement of a liquid or gas.
radiation
Energy transfer by waves, which can cross empty space.
greenhouse effect
Warming of Earth's surface by greenhouse gases that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation.

Let's review!

In this unit you used the particle theory to explain temperature, thermal energy and heat, found out how heat is generated, and saw how heating changes volume and causes changes of state. You learned the three ways heat moves (conduction, convection and radiation) and the natural processes that depend on them, how radiation heats and cools Earth, how greenhouse gases keep Earth warm and where they come from, and how technologies and energy choices affect people, the economy and the environment.

This review has a few questions from every lesson. Try each one, then press Show answer to check. If a part feels tricky, go back to that lesson for more practice.

ConductionConvectionRadiationhotwarmparticles touchingpass energy alonga fluid moves andcarries the energywaves cross a gap,even empty space
The three ways heat moves. Ask: are particles touching (conduction)? Is a fluid moving (convection)? Is energy crossing a gap as waves (radiation)?
add thermal energy → particles move faster and farther apartsolid (ice)vibrate in placeliquid (water)slide pastgas (water vapour)zoom around0 °C100 °Cmelting / freezingboiling / condensing
The particle theory in one picture: adding thermal energy makes particles move faster and farther apart. For water, the changes of state happen at 0 °C and 100 °C (at sea level).

The Particle Theory of Matter

1

State any four ideas of the particle theory of matter.

2

Describe the arrangement and motion of particles in a liquid.

3

Use the particle theory to explain why you can smell an orange being peeled across the room.

Heat, Temperature and Thermal Energy

1

What is the difference between temperature and thermal energy?

2

A cup of tea at 80 °C and a bathtub at 40 °C: which has more thermal energy?

3

Which way does heat flow when you put cold milk into hot cocoa?

4

How do the particles of a solid change when it is heated?

Where Does Heat Come From? Ways Heat Is Generated

1

Name the source of heat: (a) the Sun, (b) a toaster, (c) rubbing your hands, (d) a campfire.

2

Why can a large compost pile feel warm inside?

3

Give one example of unwanted heat.

Heat and Volume: Expansion and Contraction

1

Why does a substance expand when it is heated?

2

Why do bridges have expansion joints?

3

What is unusual about water when it freezes, and what is one effect?

4

How much ice will 200 mL of water make, if water expands about 9% on freezing?

Changes of State and the Particle Theory

1

Why does the temperature stay at 0 °C while ice melts?

2

Which change of state causes the biggest increase in volume?

3

Why does sweating cool you down?

Conduction: Heat Through Touch

1

What is conduction?

2

Why does a metal doorknob feel colder than a wooden door at the same temperature?

3

Name one natural process that depends on conduction.

Convection: Heat on the Move in Liquids and Gases

1

Why does convection happen only in liquids and gases?

2

Explain why a breeze blows from a lake onto the beach on a hot afternoon.

3

Name two natural processes that depend on convection.

Radiation: The Sun's Energy and Different Surfaces

1

How is radiation different from conduction and convection?

2

Which surface absorbs more of the Sun's radiation: fresh snow or a dark parking lot?

3

Why does melting Arctic sea ice lead to more warming?

Radiation Heats and Cools Earth: The Greenhouse Effect

1

How does Earth cool down at night?

2

What do greenhouse gases do?

3

Why is the natural greenhouse effect important?

4

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Greenhouse Gases: Where They Come From and How to Cut Them

1

Name one human source each of carbon dioxide and methane.

2

A car uses 5 L of gasoline. About how much CO₂ is released? (2.3 kg per L)

3

Give two ways a community can reduce emissions.

Keeping Heat Where We Want It: Technologies That Reduce Heat Loss

1

How do double-pane windows reduce heat loss?

2

Give one social and one environmental benefit of weatherstripping.

3

Explain one feature of an iglu that uses convection.

Renewable and Non-renewable Energy: Weighing the Impacts

1

Give one benefit and one drawback of hydroelectric power.

2

Classify each impact as social, economic or environmental: (a) asthma from smog, (b) cost of fuel, (c) damage to fish habitat.

3

Why are some remote First Nations moving away from diesel generators?

Just for fun

Conduction, convection and radiation walk up to a campfire. Conduction grabs a hot marshmallow stick, convection goes up with the smoke, and radiation just warms everyone's face from a safe distance.

How to use this review

  1. Try each question before you press Show answer.
  2. Put a check mark beside the ones you got right.
  3. If you missed two or more in one section, go back to that lesson and redo its Your turn questions.
  4. For the three ways heat moves, ask yourself: Are particles touching (conduction)? Is a fluid moving (convection)? Is energy crossing a gap as waves (radiation)?
  5. Explain one idea to someone at home using a drawing of particles. Teaching is one of the best ways to remember.
Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which statement about particles is part of the particle theory?

2.

A swimming pool at 25 °C has more thermal energy than a cup of coffee at 75 °C because...

3.

What energy change heats the coils of an electric toaster?

4.

Why do power lines sag more in summer?

5.

While water is boiling, its temperature...

6.

A spoon in hot soup gets hot along its handle by...

7.

Warm air rising over a sunny field to form a thermal is an example of...

8.

The Sun's energy reaches Earth by...

9.

Greenhouse gases warm Earth by...

10.

Which choice reduces heat loss from a house AND cuts greenhouse gas emissions?

For parents and teachers

What this review covers: all expectations in Strand E, Heat in the Environment (E1.1, E1.2, E2.1 to E2.8), with the Strand A STEM skills used in the unit (A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A1.5, A2.1, A2.2, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3).

If your child had trouble with...

  • the ideas of the particle theory, states of matter, diffusion → revisit The Particle Theory of Matter.
  • temperature vs thermal energy vs heat, which way heat flows → revisit Heat, Temperature and Thermal Energy.
  • naming sources of heat and energy changes → revisit Where Does Heat Come From? Ways Heat Is Generated.
  • expansion, contraction, water expanding when it freezes → revisit Heat and Volume: Expansion and Contraction.
  • why temperature stays constant during melting or boiling, heating curves, evaporative cooling → revisit Changes of State and the Particle Theory.
  • conductors and insulators, why metal feels colder → revisit Conduction: Heat Through Touch.
  • convection currents, lake breezes, lake turnover → revisit Convection: Heat on the Move in Liquids and Gases.
  • radiation, absorbing vs reflecting surfaces, albedo, heat islands → revisit Radiation: The Sun's Energy and Different Surfaces.
  • how Earth heats and cools, the greenhouse effect, natural vs enhanced → revisit Radiation Heats and Cools Earth: The Greenhouse Effect.
  • sources of greenhouse gases and ways to reduce them, CO₂ calculations → revisit Greenhouse Gases: Where They Come From and How to Cut Them.
  • insulation, windows, heat pumps, igluit, assessing benefits and costs → revisit Keeping Heat Where We Want It: Technologies That Reduce Heat Loss.
  • renewable vs non-renewable, social/economic/environmental impacts, Ontario's electricity → revisit Renewable and Non-renewable Energy: Weighing the Impacts.

Tip: the most common mix-up in this unit is between the three kinds of heat transfer. Have your child sort everyday examples (a hot pan handle, a radiator warming a room, sunshine through a window) and explain each one.

Safety reminder: every heat activity in this unit uses ice, cold water or hot tap water handled by an adult. Never use boiling water, stoves or open flames for these activities, and never look at the Sun.