Birds Flock Together
SCIENTIFIC
Introduction
Show how the physical rearrangement of separate parts of a group can conserve energy.
BIO FAX!
Concepts
• Conservation of energy
• Animal behavior
Background
Many animals conserve body heat by gathering in tight packs. Penguins, for example, live in harsh climates and are known
for congregating in tight packs in order to conserve body heat. When observing the behavior of huddled pack animals it
almost appears as though they take turns assuming various positions in the huddle. What advantage might this behavior
afford the survival of the group?
In this activity, water is heated to the boiling point and then transferred to two containers of different dimensions, but of
equal volume. The water in the container with smaller surface area retains its heat energy longer, because the transfer of
heat energy can only occur along outer surfaces of a substance or object.
Materials
Source of boiling water, approx. 500 mL
Polystyrene cup, 250-mL
Beaker, borosilicate, 1000-mL
Polystyrene meat tray, approximately 15 × 25 cm
Heat pad or oven mitt
Thermometers, 2
Safety Precautions
This activity is not considered hazardous. Use caution when transferring the boiling water. Follow appropriate laboratory safety
guidelines.
Preparation
1. Obtain a heat source, borosilicate beaker, and approximately 600 mL of water.
2. Heat the water until boiling.
Procedure
1. Pour 250 mL of boiling water into polystyrene cup and 250 mL of boiling water into polystyrene meat tray.
2. Insert a thermometer into the water in each container.
3. Record the temperatures over the next five minutes.
4. The water in the tray will cool at a faster rate due to the greater surface area. Discuss how the water in the cup is
analogous to animals flocking together and how the water in the flat tray is analogous to animals “spreading” out.
Disposal
Save the polystyrene containers for future use.
© 2016 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Publication No. 10794
061616
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Birds Flock Together continued
NGSS Alignment
This laboratory activity relates to the following Next Generation Science Standards (2013):
Disciplinary Core Ideas: Middle School
Science and Engineering Practices
MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and
Dynamics
LS2.A: Interdependant Relationships in
Ecosystems
Using Mathematical and computational
Thinking
Constructing Explanations and
Designing
Solutions
Disciplinary Core Ideas: High School
Crosscutting
Concepts
Structure and function
HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and
Dynamics
LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior
Tips
• This activity may also be performed using beakers and shallow glass baking dishes or trays.
• The movie March of the Penguins is a great video to show before or after this activity to reinforce the topic of conservation of energy.
Reference
This activity was adapted from A Demo A Day—A Year of Biological Demonstrations, Bilash, Borislaw, Shields, Martin; Flinn
Scientific: Batavia, IL (2001), p 245.
Materials for Birds Flock Together are available from Flinn Scientific.
Catalog No.
AP1196
AP6049
Description
Polystyrene Cups
Flinn Digital Pocket Thermometer, Economy Choice
Consult your Flinn Scientific Catalog/Reference Manual for current prices.
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© 2016 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved.