This temperature reading is the perfect way to introduce NGSS MS-PS1-4 and how particle motion and temperature are related! Students learn what temperature is, the scales that are used to measure it, and how thermometers work.
NGSS MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
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In this activity, students will:
- READ an informative article about temperature, temperature scales, and thermometers.
- ANSWER text-dependent reading comprehension questions. No prior knowledge is needed! All answers come from the text.
Topics Covered:
- Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance.
- Higher temperature means particles have more kinetic energy and move faster. Lower temperature means less kinetic energy and slower movement.
- Thermal energy is the total energy of all particles in a substance and depends on the substance’s temperature and mass.
- The difference between the Celcius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin scales.
- The basic differences between liquid, digital, and infrared thermometers
- How to read a liquid thermometer
- The text includes a graphic of how to convert from one temperature scale to another but does not require students to do any conversions.
Teacher Notes:
- This temperature reading and the associated worksheet are not editable.
- Answer keys are always included.
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Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
- NGSS MS-PS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.
- NGSS MS-PS3-4: Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, type of matter, mass, and change in temperature of the sample.
