Week 14 Blog

 

This week in lab, we began by discussing the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. We used stimulations to visualize the particle makeup of each state of matter, deepening my understanding of how particles behave in different forms. We then connected this to our plunger experiment from week one by investigating why the plunger stuck to some surfaces and not others. We discovered that the plunger sticks when air is pushed out, creating a seal. But I am curious to learn more about this in lecture. We also revisited another investigation from week one, where my partner and I explored why ice melts faster on metal than on wood. Through experimentation, we found that metal conducts heat more effectively because its particles are more tightly packed and transfer energy more quickly. In contrast, wood contains air pockets that slow down heat transfer. As a result, ice melts faster on metal because it heats up more rapidly, causing the ice particles to gain energy and melt sooner.

I was able to connect much of this week's content to my prior knowledge. Before this lab, I understood that ice melts faster when exposed to heat because heat causes the particles within the ice to move faster, eventually leading to a change in state. Furthermore, based on my own cooking experience, I also knew that metal objects tend to heat up faster than other materials, however, I did not know why. During this lab, I learned that this is because metals are good conductors of heat because their particles are closely packed and can transfer energy efficiently. This allows heat to move quickly through the material, raising its temperature and causing substances like ice to melt faster when in contact with it. 

Lastly, I will use much of this information in my future teaching. It is helpful to revisit these topics to strengthen my understanding and ability to educate my future students. I also plan to use FlipGrid videos and simulations, similar to the ones used in the lab, in my future classroom. I think that simulations are a great way for students to visualize and interact with scientific concepts. Additionally, flip grid videos are a fun, personalized way for students to express their understanding and learning. Therefore, I plan to utilize both in my future classroom to enhance my students' learning experiences. 

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