Temperature and Heat

Temperature and Heat

When you think of the word temperature, you probably think of it as a way to measure heat.    

WRONG!!!!!!!!!

There are words that we use in our everyday lives that are incorrectly used in a scientific context. Heat and temperature are two examples. Starting today, you will need to begin thinking about these words differently. 

Let's begin by taking a look at the word temperature. Temperature is actually a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules of a substance. Watch the video on the next screen.

Open Ended

In the video, she said that molecules with more kinetic energy move faster. What do you think kinetic energy is?

Multiple Choice

As the kinetic energy increases, what happens to temperature?

• It decreases.

• It increases.

Watch the next video that also shows you that temperature is a measure of kinetic energy.

We also use the word "heat" incorrectly. Heat is actually a process. Heat is the transfer of energy from a substance at a higher temperature to a substance at a lower temperature. We will be exploring heat in the next lab.