Science Teaching Series

Internet Resources

I. Developing Scientific Literacy

II. Developing Scientific Reasoning

III. Developing Scientific Understanding

IV. Developing Scientific Problem Solving

V. Developing Scientific Research Skills

VI. Resources for Teaching Science

Domain 11 - Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics

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Candidates demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of heat transfer and thermodynamics as
contained in the Science Content Standards for California Public Schools (1998) and outlined in the
Science Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (2002) from
an advanced standpoint. To ensure a rigorous view of heat transfer and thermodynamics and their
underlying structures, candidates have a deep conceptual knowledge of the subject matter. Candidates
explain how heat flows in a predictable manner. They understand that energy cannot be created or
destroyed, although in many processes energy is transferred to the environment as heat. Candidates
apply their knowledge to explain how many phenomena on Earth’s surface are affected by the transfer
of energy through radiation and convection currents.

a. Know the principle of conservation of energy and apply it to energy transfers
b. Discuss how the transfer of energy as heat is related to changes in temperature
c. Diagram the direction of heat flow in a system
d. Describe the methods of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation, and provide examples for each
e. Explain how chemical energy in fuel is transformed to heat
f. Design and explain experiments to induce a physical change such as freezing, melting, or boiling
g. Distinguish between physical and chemical changes and provide examples of each
(Science Content Standards for California Public Schools, Grade 6: 3a-d, 4d; Grade 8: 3b,
3d-e, 5c-d; Grade 9-12, Physics: 3a-c, Chemistry: 7a-c)