• Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. (4-PS3-2)

• Energy can be moved from place to place by moving objects or through sound, light, or electric currents. (4)
• The term "heat" as used in everyday language refers both to thermal energy (the motion of atoms or molecules within a substance) and the transfer of that thermal energy from one object to another. In science, heat is used only for this second meaning; it refers to the energy transferred due to the temperature difference between two objects. (6-8)

• The amount of energy transfer needed to change the temperature of a matter sample by a given amount depends on the nature of the matter, the size of the sample, and the environment. (6-8)
• Energy is spontaneously transferred out of hotter regions or objects and into colder ones. (6-8)

• Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects. (4-5)
• Energy may take different forms (e.g. energy in fields, thermal energy, energy of motion). (6-8)

• Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to evaluating the merit and accuracy of ideas and methods. (3-5)
  • Obtain and combine information from books and other reliable media to explain phenomena. (3-4)

• 3-5: 4E/E2b. When warmer things are put with cooler ones, heat is transferred from the warmer ones to the cooler ones.
• 6-8: 4E/M2. Energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways: 1) thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one; 2) mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance; 3) electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or 4) by electromagnetic waves.
• 6-8: 4E/M4. Energy appears in different forms and can be transformed within a system. Motion energy is associated with the speed of an object. Thermal energy is associated with the temperature of an object. Gravitational energy is associated with the height of an object above a reference point. Elastic energy is associated with the stretching or compressing of an elastic object. Chemical energy is associated with the composition of a substance. Electrical energy is associated with an electric current in a circuit. Light energy is associated with the frequency of electromagnetic waves.
• 6-8: 4E/M6. Light and other electromagnetic waves can warm objects. How much an object's temperature increases depends on how intense the light striking its surface is, how long the light shines on the object, and how much of the light is absorbed.

All objects with a non-zero temperature will emit infrared radiation, but we cannot see it with our eyes.  This excellent collection of images produced with infrared photography allows students to "see" temperature differences and variations in heat intensity.  They will be looking at a hot cup of coffee, warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals, ice cubes, and hot springs. For an inquiry-based lab to extend this exploration, see "Science NetLinks: The Herschel Experiment" in Lesson Plans above.

• Physical Sciences K-8 Electromagnetic Radiation and the Spectrum Unit
• Physics First Electromagnetic Radiation and the Spectrum Unit
• Conceptual Physics Electromagnetic Radiation and the Spectrum Unit
• Algebra-Based Physics Electromagnetic Radiation and the Spectrum Unit

All objects emit infrared radiation, but human eyes cannot see these wavelengths. Infrared is essentially heat radiation and is emitted by anything with a temperature. This tutorial, produced with infrared photography, lets students "see" infrared images of a cup of hot coffee, Old Faithful geyser, ice cubes, cold and warm-blooded animals, hot springs, and more.

• Physical Sciences K-8 Teaching about Heat and Thermal Energy Unit
• Physics First Teaching about Heat and Thermal Energy Unit
• Conceptual Physics Teaching about Heat and Thermal Energy Unit
• Algebra-Based Physics Teaching about Heat and Thermal Energy Unit
• AP/Calculus-Based Physics Teaching about Heat and Thermal Energy Unit