Objective – Explain how heat is transferred by radiation.
What is the Best Emitter?
Question
 Which material releases heat best – aluminum foil, white paper, or black paper?
Variable
 Material that covers the test tube.
Vocabulary
 Radiation – Heat transferred by an electromagnetic wave.
 Emitter – An object that gives off heat.
Materials
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Three test tubes
Aluminum foil
White paper
Black paper
Tape
Scissors
Thermometer
Test tube rack
Hot water
Three rubber stoppers
Stopwatch
Styrofoam™ cup
Procedure
1. Tightly wrap a clean, dry test tube in each material. Use
just enough to cover fully the glass. Place the wrapper in
place with the clear tape.
2. Stand the tubes upright in the rack. Pinch a pour spout in
the Styrofoam™ cup. Use it to fill each tube with the very
hot water. Make sure the outside of the test tube is kept perfectly dry. Place the rubber stopper
in each tube.
Objective – Explain how heat is transferred by radiation.
Pour
3. Record your hypothesis (refer to the question).
4. Wait ten (10) minutes. Use a thermometer to measure quickly the temperature of the water in
each tube. Do this in the same order you filled them. Replace the rubber stopper. Record the data
in the data table.
5. After ten (10) more minutes, use a thermometer to measure quickly the temperature of the
water in each tube. Do this in the same order you filled them. Record the data in the data table.
6. Complete the questions on the worksheet.
Objective – Explain how heat is transferred by radiation.
Group Members _____________________________________________________
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Absent ____________________________________________________________
What is the Best Emitter?
Complete this section before you begin the lab activity.
Hypothesis
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Complete this section while you are doing the lab activity.
Data Table
Test Tube
Temp at 10 Minutes
Temp at 20 Minutes
White Paper
o
F.
o
F.
Black Paper
o
F.
o
F.
Aluminum Foil
o
F.
o
F.
Complete this section after you have completed the lab activity.
1. After you finish checking the temperature at ten minutes, briefly touch the side of
each tube. Which feels the hottest? Explain your answer.
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Objective – Explain how heat is transferred by radiation.
2. After you finish checking the temperature at twenty minutes, briefly touch the side
of each tube. Which feels the hottest? Explain your answer.
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3. Explain how this activity demonstrates heat transfer through radiation.
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4. Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Explain why or why not.
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