9 Thermal Energy Videos for Kids

These thermal energy videos reinforce basic concepts and support this hands-on science unit. First, students learn that even cold things have heat energy. Then they explore friction through NASCAR. Next, students see how heat travels from hot to cold objects. They can also watch videos on conduction, convection, radiation, insulators and conductors, how heat controls states of matter, and measuring temperature. More Science Videos

Review

  • Thermal energy occurs as molecules move.
  • It happens when other forms of energy convert to heat.
  • Heat travels from warmer objects/regions to cooler objects/regions.
  • Conduction is the transfer of heat from a warmer object/region to a cooler object/region. They must be touching for conduction to occur.
  • Convection is the movement of heat that occurs as warm air or water rises and cool air or water sinks.
  • Radiation occurs as warm objects give off heat. Thermal energy can radiate, or travel in waves, from one object to another.
  • Adding or removing heat can change an object’s state of matter.
  • As heat is added, solids melt to form liquids and liquids evaporate to become gases.
  • As heat is removed, gases condense to become liquids and liquids freeze to become solids.
  • Dense materials (like metal) conduct heat well.
  • Room temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit),

For Teachers

Are you looking for hands-on heat activities for your classroom or homeschool? These thermal energy videos complement a set of eight heat labs.

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