Chasing Heat

• databot with temperature sensor

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Metal object and heat source
  (e.g., lamp)

• Ruler and adhesive tape

• Graph paper or computer with
  spreadsheet software (optional)

Overview

Background

What You Will Need/Prep

• Test your databot™ connection.

• You will be prompted to select
  and connect to databot™ each
  time you launch an experiment.

• If there are two or more
  databot™'s listed, the one
  closest to your device will be
  highlighted.

• Study the background
  information and terms and
  prepare to explore!

Chasing Heat

Have you ever noticed how some things feel hot
after sitting in the sun or cool off after a while in
the shade? Today, you’re going to learn about how
temperature changes over time and why it happens
using scientific methods to make careful
observations and measurements.

• Install Vizeey™ on your
  Smart device.

• Scan the QR code to load
  the experiment.

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 Minutes

Subject: Physical Science

Topics: Temperature, Temperature
Changes

Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is
and it is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or
Fahrenheit (°F). Scientists study temperature
changes to understand how energy moves. When
something heats up, like a metal object under a
lamp, it’s absorbing energy from the light. When the
heat source is removed, the object cools down by
releasing energy into the air.

Heat is a form of energy that moves in three ways:
conduction, convection, and radiation. In this
experiment, the lamp transfers heat to the metal
object through radiation, and the object’s surface
warms up. Over time, the heat spreads throughout
the object (conduction). By recording temperature
changes, you’ll create a graph to see how fast or
slow the object heats up.

Understanding temperature changes is important in
everyday life—like cooking, building safe homes,
and even predicting the weather! By studying how
temperature changes, you’re learning how to use
science to make sense of the world!

Temp Probe

Important Terms

Learning Objectives

In this investigation you will master the following knowledge and skills:

• Visualize, collect and analyze data

• Measure and record temperature in C or F

• Graph temperature changes over time and interpret the data to identify patterns.

• Apply the scientific method to conduct an experiment, including making observations,
  recording data, and drawing conclusions.

Conduction: The transfer of heat through direct contact between objects or particles.

Convection: The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, which can be liquids or
gases.

Energy Transfer: The movement of energy from one place or object to another, often seen
as heat.

Heat: A form of energy that moves from a warmer object to a cooler one.

Radiation: The transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, such as light from the sun
or a lamp.

Temperature: A measure of how hot or cold something is, typically measured in degrees
Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).

In this lab, you will observe how temperature changes when an object is exposed to a heat
source. You’ll use databot to measure temperature over time, collect data, and analyze your

results using tables and graphs.

Temp Probe

Interesting Facts

Heat Transfer is Everywhere: From cooking food to charging a phone (which gets warm),
energy transfer is happening all the time!

Metal Heats Up Fast: Metals are excellent conductors of heat, which is why a metal spoon
in hot soup quickly becomes warm, while a wooden spoon stays cooler.

Heat Can Make Things Glow: When objects get really hot, like metal in a blacksmith’s forge,
they emit thermal radiation and start to glow red, orange, or even white!

In order to work with the experiment you need to launch the Vizeey application and click on
+ in the upper right corner.

Then select “Add experiment from QR code” and scan the QR code prepared for this
experiment. Your experiment will appear in the list.

• Here you will see a graph of
  temperature 2 change over time.

When you start the experiment you will be immediately
offered to connect to your databot. Make sure that databot
is enabled.

Don’t forget to check that the temperature probe 1 is
connected to the Temp 1 port and temperature probe 2 is
connected to the Temp 2 port.

During the experiment, you need to record the temperature values every 30 seconds.

Press the "Fix Temperature" button every 30 seconds to capture the next values for your
data table.

Once you have captured the values, write them down in the table to avoid losing any
information and prepare to capture the values at the next 30 second mark. Be fast and
accurate!

Temp Probe

• Here you will see a graph of temperature 1
  change over time.

• The temperature value you can fix at
  the current moment by pressing the
  button.

• Current temperature 1

• Current temperature 2.

You can switch tabs here.

What do you predict will happen to the temperature of an object over time when it is

exposed to heat? Write your question or prediction below:

Temperature Hypothesis: Predict the pattern you expect to see in the temperature of
an object as it is heated over time.

Prediction:

Part 1: Initial Observations and Questions

Part 2: Hypothesis

Part 3: Experiment Procedure

• Tap on "Chasing Heat" in Vizeey to load the experiment. Use the first tab of the
  experiment “Temp Probe” for this part of the measurements.

• You will be prompted to connect to databot.

  • Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!

  • A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

• Start your experiment using:

• Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause the
  experiment.

Note: Before starting a new experiment, cool the surface and sensor to room

temperature to get more accurate results for data analysis

Temp Probe

Experiment 1.

• Place the temperature probe in front of the lamp, then turn on the lamp.

• Fix the temperature data using button every 30 seconds
  and record it into the table

Experiment 2.

How quickly the surface of a metal ruler heats up

• Place the temperature probe under the metal ruler

  • Make sure that the light does not shine directly on
    the probe.

• Fix the temperature data every 30 seconds and
  record it into the table

  • You may notice that the probe heats up slowly
    because the ruler gets hot first, transferring its
    heat to the probe.

Temp Probe

Place the temperature probe
under the metal ruler

Make sure that the light does
not shine directly on the
probe.

Part 4: Data Analysis

Part 3: Experiment Procedure

Experiment 3.

• Use 2 temperature probes at different distances
  from the light source.

• Fix them at different distances. Cover the
  temperature sensors so that the light does not hit
  them.

• Now start heating the metal ruler.

• Use the second tab “Dual Temp Probe” of the
  experiment for this part of the measurements.

• Fix the temperature data every 30 seconds and
  record it into the table

  • You can see the heat spreads along the entire
    length of the ruler.

  • The closer to the light source, the faster the
    sensor is heated up.

Temp 1

Temp 2

Temp Probe

Part 6: Reflection

1. Explain one thing you learned about the relationship between temperature and time

when an object is heated.

2. How did using databot help you understand the data more effectively?

Part 5: Concept Questions

Data Interpretation:

1. Describe any trends you observe in the temperature data over time.

2. How does this pattern align with your original hypothesis?

Temp Probe