Temperature and Heat

When you think of the word temperature, you probably think of it as a way to measure heat.    

There are words that we use in our everyday lives that are incorrectly used in a scientific context. Heat and temperature are two examples. Starting today, you will need to begin thinking about these words differently. 

Let's begin by taking a look at the word temperature. Temperature is actually a measure of the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules of a substance. Watch the video on the next screen.

We also use the word "heat" incorrectly. Heat is actually a process. Heat is the transfer of energy from a substance at a higher temperature to a substance at a lower temperature. We will be exploring heat in the next lab.