Heat Transfer
Capturing solar energy to use within a house.Copyright 2020 Creazilla, CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0).
https://creazilla.com/nodes/59572-solar-panels-on-roof-clipart
Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail and related to the real world. They learn about the many ways solar energy is used as a renewable energy source to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses and operating costs. Students also explore ways in which a device can capitalize on the methods of heat transfer to produce a beneficial result. They are given the tools to calculate the heat transferred between a system and its surroundings.
Energy transfer, and specifically the transfer of thermal energy, is a fundamental area of study for all engineers. Radiation makes the Earth habitable for humans, and provides us with renewable solar energy. Convection is the backbone of the mechanics behind air flow in buildings and the air exchange in a typical home. Conduction makes it possible to heat a five-gallon saucepan all the way to the handle from just a single flame beneath it. Almost unlimited forms of heat transfer are evident everywhere in our world and their importance is significant, especially to the field of engineering. For example, in designing a building's ventilation system, engineers consider the heat transfer of the building to its surroundings as well as the internal heat transfer. Likewise, they select materials that either minimize or maximize the transfer of heat through particular components to optimize efficiency.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain in detail the three types of heat transfer, and give examples of each.
- Explain why certain materials are better than others for transferring heat.
- Apply what they have learned about heat transfer and materials to real-world problems.