Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Physics → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: understand that the scale of thermodynamic temperature does not depend on the property of any particular substance
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the definition of thermodynamic temperature and its relation to kinetic energy.
  • Explain why the Kelvin scale is independent of any particular substance.
  • Convert temperatures between Kelvin, Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Rankine using appropriate formulas.
  • Apply the concepts of absolute zero and the triple point of water in defining temperature scales.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout with temperature conversion tables
  • Thermometer demonstration kit (optional)
  • Calculator for students
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick question: What temperature scale do you use daily and why?
Review students’ prior knowledge of Celsius and Fahrenheit, highlighting their reliance on water’s properties.
State that today they will discover a temperature scale that does not depend on any substance, and success will be shown by correctly converting between scales and explaining the Kelvin definition.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list known temperature scales and their reference points. (Check prior knowledge)
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Define thermodynamic temperature, Boltzmann constant, absolute zero, and the triple point of water.
  3. Demonstration (5'): Show a thermometer reading and discuss its dependence on a specific substance.
  4. Guided practice (12'): Pairs work through conversion formulas using the handout.
  5. Concept check (8'): Quick Kahoot quiz on why the Kelvin scale is substance‑independent.
  6. Summary discussion (5'): Students articulate why Kelvin is a universal scale.
Conclusion:
Recap that the Kelvin scale is defined by fundamental constants, not by water or any other material, and that students can now convert between any temperature scale confidently.
Ask for an exit ticket: write one sentence explaining why thermodynamic temperature is substance‑independent.
For homework, assign problems converting a range of temperatures and a short paragraph on the historical evolution of temperature scales.