Thermal Store of Energy

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Identify which of two objects or substances has the most energy in its thermal store when the only difference between them is temperature

• Identify which of two objects or substances has the most energy in its thermal store when the only difference between them is their mass

• Explain the difference between energy (in a thermal store) and temperature

• Describe how the specific heat capacity of a material affects the amount of energy in its thermal store

• Use the equation E = mcDT to calculate the energy needed to increase the temperature of a material

The resources include details of common misconceptions and a summary of the research upon which the resources are based.

Download the zip file for all the questions and activities.

More resources like this can be found on the BEST webpage:  Best Evidence in Science Teaching