Physics: Hot or Cold: Temperature and Materials

Circle the object that is usually hotter: a bowl of soup or an ice cube. Explain your choice.

A thermometer shows a higher number in the afternoon than in the morning. What does that tell you about the air?

Mia touches a metal spoon and a wooden spoon that have been sitting in the same room. The metal spoon feels colder. Are they really different room temperatures? Explain.

Put these in order from coldest to hottest: warm bath water, snow, boiling water.

Sam puts a cup of hot cocoa on the table. After one hour, the cocoa is no longer hot. What happened to its temperature?

A jacket is made from thick, soft fabric. Why does wearing a jacket help you stay warm on a cold day?

Which material would be best for holding a hot pan safely: a metal handle or a cloth oven mitt? Explain why.

Nora leaves a glass of cold water on the counter. After a while, the water feels less cold. Did the water gain heat or lose heat?

Look at a thermometer that has a red line near the bottom. Does this show a hot temperature or a cold temperature? Explain.

Your class wants to keep lemonade cold during a picnic. Name one material or object they could use and explain how it helps.