Heat Flow (600-700)_03 FK- 5.9

Did you ever wonder why Mom uses a wooden spoon to stir the spaghetti sauce? That’s right! The wooden spoon does not get hot and cause her to burn her hand. Wood is a material that resists the transfer, or conduction, of heat energy. Materials that are not good conductors of heat are called insulators. What do you think would happen if she used a spoon made of the same material as the pot? Correct! The spoon would get too hot to touch and potentially burn your mom’s hand. Most metals readily conduct heat and are considered good conductors.

Is it starting to make sense how the transfer of heat takes place? That’s why Mom places your lunch in a special carrier to keep out the heat and helps to keep your lunch fresh. Dad uses a thermos for the hot coffee he takes to work. He says the thermos keeps the coffee hot all day long because it keeps the hot coffee from losing its heat energy . You now know how a thermos keeps the coffee hot because it is an insulator.

It’s time to head out the door into the cold weather and walk to school. Not to worry; you have your new coat to keep you warm on the long walk. Your coat is a good insulator because of the materials it is made from. You will have no trouble staying warm as it will keep you from losing your body’s heat.