Nine conducting squares

Relevant Resource questions :

Concepts demonstrated :

• heat capacity
• thermal conduction

Equipment needed :

• Two insulating boxes with various slabs - metal, perspex, etc. which look similar.

• Place boxes (at the same temperature) at the entrance to the lecture theatre with the sign: place hands here.
• Place two boxes at the entrance to the lecture theatre with different materials at different temperatures such that on a quick touch they feel the same i.e. hot perspex and cooler metal.

• Poster to be made as shown above.

Refer to demonstration 101 notes.

How to use the Demonstration

• Explore how different materials at the same temperature feel different.
• Explore how different materials at different temperatures feel the same.

  Ask the question during the lecture how A felt with respect to B. Students may say cooler/the same/hotter. Ask for a show of hands.

• Car seat belt and buckle.
• Hot frying pan and plastic or metal handle.

• Poster (see Accessories).
• Also develop an explanation poster for Open Days.