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Thermodynamics
Build a Bottle Thermometer
(G 5 - 8)
Time to explore temperature and thermal expansion!
In this hands-on activity, students will build their own thermometer using water, rubbing alcohol, and a straw to understand how temperature affects liquids and gases.
Through this experiment, they will apply the laws of thermodynamics, particularly the ideal gas law (describing how gas pressure and volume relate to temperature), and learn about thermal expansion and conservation of energy.
In this lesson, students will also engage with key concepts in engineering and physical science as they construct and test their thermometers, seeing firsthand how scientific principles apply to everyday technologies.
Approximate time needed: 60 - 90 minutes
Standards:
MS CCRS: L.6.1, L.6.4, L.8.3, L.8.6
NGSS: MS-PS1-4, MS-PS3-2, MS-ETS1-3
Self-Guided Format:
This lesson is fully self-guided, allowing you to go at your own pace, providing flexibility to work through the material and classroom activities as needed. Whether you prefer to break up the lesson over multiple sessions or dive in all at once, this format gives you complete control to engage your students at your convenience. This lesson is a great addition for teachers doing a unit on physical science, physics, engineering, energy and thermodynamics.
Scroll Down to the bottom of the page to see all the great things that are included in this lesson!
What Comes with The Lesson?
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Short Educational Video
1 min video on how thermometers work
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Materials List
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Lesson Plan
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Classroom Handout
Class worksheet for data collection during experiment
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Video: Ideal Gas Law
Fun and informative, 9 min video explaining history and principles of Ideal Gas Law, w/ fun demonstrations.