Science for Schools: Heat Transfer through Conduction

Introduction

• Today's topic: Heat Transfer through Conduction
• Focus: Conduction through solids

Experiment Setup

• Materials Used:
  • Four different metal plates: Copper, Brass, Aluminium, and Iron
  • Candle wax with pins embedded
• Equipment:
  • Heat source
  • Safety goggles

Procedure

1. Heat source is turned on with the flame adjusted to blue.
2. The flame is pointed directly at the center of the four metal plates.
3. The heat is meant to conduct through the metal plates to the end where the wax is.
4. Observe the wax melting and pins dropping.

Observations

• Heat travels from the center of the plates towards the end, melting the wax.
• Pins drop as the wax melts.
• Different metals conduct heat at different rates.
• The order in which pins drop corresponds to the rate of heat conduction in the metals.

Metals and Heat Conduction

• Copper: Fast heat conductor
• Brass: Moderate conductor
• Aluminium: Good conductor but may vary
• Iron: Slowest conductor among the four

Conclusion

• The experiment showcases how different metals conduct heat at different rates, demonstrated by the order and time at which the pins drop.

Safety Precautions

• Do not look directly over the flame even with goggles on.
• Turn off the heat source after the experiment.

Closing

• This concludes the experiment on heat conduction.
• Stay tuned for the next episode.