Heat and temperature simulations
Specific heat
Specific heat is the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (°C) or one kelvin (K). It is expressed in J/(g-°C) or J/(kg-K) and varies according to the material, since it depends on its capacity to store thermal energy. See in this animation what happens when the same amount of heat is applied to two products with small and large specific heat respectively.
Heat capacity
Heat capacity is the amount of heat that a body or substance needs to absorb or release to change its temperature by 1 degree Celsius (°C) or 1 kelvin (K). It differs from specific heat in that heat capacity refers to the whole object, whereas specific heat is an intrinsic property of the material and is measured per unit mass. Observe in this animation what happens when applying the same amount of heat to two bodies with small and large heat capacity respectively.
Thermometer
A thermometer is a measuring instrument used to determine the temperature of a body, an environment or a substance. It works by means of different principles such as volume variation with temperature or electrical resistance or thermal radiation. This simulation shows the principle of operation of a mercury or alcohol thermometer, based on the expansion of a liquid inside a glass tube.
Heat conduction
Heat conduction is the process by which thermal energy is transferred through a material without visible movement of matter. It occurs when molecules in a hot region vibrate and transfer energy to neighboring cooler molecules, spreading heat from a higher temperature zone to a lower temperature zone. This type of heat transfer is most efficient in solids, especially metals. In this simulation you can see what happens as you move the cold zone closer to the hotter one.
Heat convection
Heat convection is the process of heat energy transfer through the movement of a fluid (liquid or gas). It is due to temperature differences within the fluid, which generates density variations and causes the displacement of hot material towards cold areas and vice versa.
In this simulation you can see what happens when heating an area and how heat is transferred by convection.
Heat transfer
Energy Forms and Changes
Explore how cooling or heating iron, brick, water, and olive oil increases or decreases energy. See how energy is transferred between objects. Build your own system, with sources, changes, and uses of energy. Track and visualize how energy flows and changes through your system.
Heat and cold
Order the objects from coldest to hottest, which one is at room temperature?
Temperature Scales
Conversion between degrees Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin. What is the lowest temperature that can be reached in degrees Celsius?
Calibration of a thermometer
Steps to calibrate a thermometer in degrees Celsius using the phase changes of water.
Heat transfer
Energy Forms and Changes
Explore how cooling or heating iron, brick, water, and olive oil increases or decreases energy. See how energy is transferred between objects. Build your own system, with sources, changes, and uses of energy. Track and visualize how energy flows and changes through your system.
Giants of science
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
Isaac Newton
Edme Mariotte
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Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac
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Become a giant
Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria
Thermodynamics
Entropy and Equilibria
Energy and Thermodynamics
Big Bang and the Origin of Chemical Elements
Preparing for CLEP Chemistry: Part 1
Pre-University Chemistry
Professional development for Educators
Innovating Instruction: Learning Design in the STEM Classroom
What Works in Education: Evidence-Based Education Policies
The Science of Learning – What Every Teacher Should Know
STEM Outside
