Convection, Conduction Radiation Thermal Energy Transfer Lab

In this Earth Science or Physical Science lab, students will gain an understanding of the three types of thermal energy transfer, conduction, radiation, and convection. Students will use hot, cold, and room temperature water to demonstrate convection by using food coloring. Students will then see how long chocolate chips take to melt when you add heat to just one side of some tin foil. Finally, they will use heat lamps, thermometers, and dark and light-colored papers to demonstrate radiation and the absorption of radiated heat.

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For more Earth Science labs, activities, videos and worksheets make sure you visit EarthScience.xyz.

Other labs and activities that you might find useful for teaching about the atmosphere:

• Building Classroom Barometers to show High and Low Pressure in Class
• Demonstrate Atmospheric Pressure by Crushing a Soda Can
• Composition of the Atmosphere Lab
• Understanding the Layers of the Atmosphere Digital Lab
• Modeling Air Convection Currents