Some Common Conceptions
Because heat is something that students experience all the time, the language that is associated with it can often lead to misunderstandings.
Review this list of common conceptions about heat, temperature, and thermal energy that can inhibit student understanding. Reflect on whether you’ve seen these in your students.
- Heat is a substance that can flow into and out of objects.
- Heat is not energy.
- Hot and cold are not part of the same continuum.
- Cold is the opposite of heat.
- Heat and temperature are the same thing.
- Temperature is a property of a material or object.
- Some materials are naturally cooler or warmer than others.
- Objects that keep things warm like sweaters or blankets are sources of heat.
- Objects that readily become warm, like some metals, do not readily become cold.
- Cold can be transferred from one object to another.
One strategy to address common student conceptions is to first elicit student ideas so that their existing conceptions can be revealed. After articulating their own ideas, students will be more able to integrate new information. Before moving on, write down some questions that may elicit student ideas about heat, temperature, and thermal energy.
