Science·Energy·procedural
Heating experiments and Q = mcΔT
Plan and carry out experiments to measure energy transferred during heating, including using the equation Q = mcΔT, recording temperature changes over time, and evaluating sources of error
Suggested ages 12–13
Evidence of understanding
- Uses a thermometer and stopwatch to record temperature change over time in a heating experiment
- Applies Q = mcΔT to calculate the energy transferred to a substance being heated
- Identifies sources of energy loss in a heating experiment (e.g. heat to surroundings) and suggests improvements
- Plots a temperature-time graph and identifies the energy transfer rate from its gradient
Assessment prompt
If Heating experiments and Q = mcΔT heated 100 ml of water in a beaker and recorded the temperature every minute, could they plot the results on a graph and use the data to work out roughly how much energy was transferred to the water?
Standards alignment
KS3.Sci.Phys.Energy.7GB · uk-nc-2013
Measuring Energy Transfers
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3
KS3.Sci.WS.AE.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Apply mathematical concepts
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3