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Simple Conduction Experiment

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Let’s learn about heat and do an interesting conduction experiment to learn how heat is transferred from one object to another.

When we open the oven to get out a pan of freshly baked cookies, we can feel the heat coming out of the oven. We can tell the temperature of the oven is a lot higher than the temperature of the room. If we stand outside in the sunshine on a summer day, we can feel the heat of the sun. We know we can feel heat, but what is heat?

Heat is a type of energy that can be transferred from one object to another. A warmer object will transfer its heat energy to a colder object and raise that object’s temperature. 

Heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy moves from one object or substance to another. Heat can be transferred to objects in three different ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.

In this experiment we are going to see conduction in action in a very fun and interesting way!

Conduction Experiment Materials & Procedure

 Here are the materials needed for this simple conduction experiment. However, there are a few precautions I want to list:

  • Adult supervision required for students under the age of 18
  • Wear safety goggles throughout the experiment.
  • Conduct in a well-ventilated area. Perform outdoors if possible.
  • Perform the experiment on a non-flammable surface.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the flame.
  • Have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand nearby in emergencies.

Materials:

  • 2 Balloons
  • Cool water
  • Matches or a lighter
  • A small candle
  • Safety goggles
  • A tray or non-flammable surface

Procedures:

The video below shows the experiment step-by-step.

  1. Blow up the first balloon and tie it off.
  2. Carefully place the balloon over the lit candle flame.
  3. Observe and record what happens.
  4. Fill the second balloon with a small amount of water, about ¼ full, blow it up, and tie it off.
  5. Hold the water-filled balloon over the flame.
  6. Observe and record what happens.
  7. Take this activity further by varying the amount of water put into the balloon, while keeping the distance from the flame the same. Then, keep the water amount the same, and vary the distance from the flame. Is there any impact on when the balloon with water does pop?

You may also want to check out our 7 experiments for testing the properties of water.

 

Discussion Questions

  • Why did the balloon without water pop when placed over the flame?
  • How did the presence of water in the second balloon affect its interaction with the flame?
  • What does this experiment tell you about the thermal properties of water?

What is Happening

The water in the second balloon absorbs the heat from the flame, preventing the balloon’s rubber from reaching a breaking point.

Let’s break down the explanation further.

Water has a high heat capacity, so it can absorb the heat from the flame without a big increase in temperature. A high heat capacity is a material’s ability to absorb and store a large amount of heat energy without much temperature change. This means the material can handle a lot of heat without getting significantly hotter.

In this experiment, the water can take in the heat conducted from the flame without the water or rubber getting hot quickly.  The water absorbs a large amount of the heat without a large increase in temperature, which helps prevent the balloon from popping.

This is an important concept for the survival of our bodies and for our survival on our planet.

Here are some real-world examples.

The Human Body

The human body is about 70% water (65% in babies), and the water helps regulate internal temperature. The high heat capacity allows the body to absorb heat from metabolic processes like digestion and external sources, like the heat from the Sun, without drastic temperature changes.

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This helps the body maintain homeostasis, which is when the body maintains a stable internal environment, even when external conditions change. Homeostasis is when the body can keep things like temperature, pH, and fluid balanced to make sure our cells and organs work properly.

 For example, when you’re hot, your body sweats to cool down. When you’re cold, you might shiver to generate heat. This is the body’s way of keeping its temperature steady, a part of homeostasis, which is the body’s way of keeping everything balanced so you stay healthy.

Oceans and Large Bodies of Water

Another example of how the high heat capacity of water benefits us is found in our oceans and large bodies of water.

During the day, when the sun is shining, oceans and lakes absorb much heat. However, unlike land, which can get hot quickly, water heats up slowly because of its high heat capacity.

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Once the water absorbs the heat, it stores it. This means that the water stays warm even when the sun goes down and the air gets cooler. The stored heat is slowly released back into the air at night or during cooler times, helping keep the surrounding areas warmer than they would be if there were no large bodies of water.

If you have ever gone swimming in a pool on a hot summer day, then jump back in during the evening hours; the water is still warm. Some heat has been released from the pool water, but it is not too cold for swimming!

Because of this heat absorption and release, oceans and lakes help smooth out temperature changes. They make coastal areas less hot in the summer and less cold in the winter than places far from water.

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So, thanks to their high heat capacity, oceans and large lakes help balance the Earth’s climate, making it more comfortable for us to live, work, and play.

More Physics Experiments

Testing the Properties of Water

Amaze Your Friends With Centripetal Force

Wrecking Ball Physics Experiment

Sound Experiments

Convection Current Experiment

Make An Electroscope

Newton’s First Law Experiment

Potential and Kinetic Energy

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