Lesson Plan

• Describe how thermal energy moves from a higher‑temperature region to a lower‑temperature region until thermal equilibrium is reached.
• Explain the three mechanisms of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and the key material parameters that control their rates.
• Apply Q = mcΔT and Fourier’s law to calculate heat transferred and determine equilibrium temperatures in simple systems.
• Identify and correct common misconceptions about heat, temperature, and the direction of heat flow.

• Projector and screen
• Thermometer or infrared sensor
• Two metal blocks (different initial temperatures)
• Worksheet with quantitative and conceptual questions
• Calculator for each pair
• PowerPoint slides summarising equations and concepts

Begin with a quick demonstration of a hot cup of tea warming a metal spoon to capture students’ curiosity. Ask them what they already know about why the spoon gets hot and how they think heat moves. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe the direction of thermal energy flow, name the three transfer mechanisms, and use equations to predict temperature changes.

1. Do‑now (5 min): Students answer three rapid‑fire questions on everyday heat‑transfer examples; teacher collects responses.
2. Mini‑lecture (10 min): Review temperature vs. thermal energy, introduce conduction, convection, radiation, and display key equations on the projector.
3. Demonstration (15 min): Place two pre‑heated metal blocks in contact, record temperature changes with thermometers, discuss observed heat flow and equilibrium.
4. Guided practice (12 min): In pairs, students work through the quantitative example (using Q = mcΔT and energy conservation) to find the equilibrium temperature; teacher circulates to check understanding.
5. Concept‑check quiz (8 min): Short Kahoot/exit‑ticket focusing on misconceptions and identifying the dominant heat‑transfer mode in given scenarios.
6. Summary & reflection (5 min): Recap the main ideas; students write one thing they learned and one lingering question on a sticky note.

Summarise how thermal energy moves from hot to cold, the role of conduction, convection, and radiation, and the quantitative tools introduced. Collect the exit‑ticket responses as a quick assessment. For homework, assign additional heat‑transfer problems and ask students to describe a real‑world example (e.g., cooking, building insulation) where one mechanism dominates.