Elementary students can gather different metal samples and compare which are the best conductors of heat with an easy experiment and a little parent supervision. Collect several different types of metal, including brass, copper and aluminum. Using a lit candle, drip a lump of wax on one end of each metal sample. Hold a lighter next to the edge of the metal opposite the side holding the wax blob. Use a stopwatch to record the amount of time it takes for each wax blob to melt and fall off. The results will indicate which metals are the best and worst thermal conductors.
Intermediate students should hypothesize whether effective thermal insulators are also good electrical insulators. Gather at least three good thermal insulators, such as cork and PVC. Also collect at least three good electrical insulators, such as glass and Teflon. Test each material to determine how well they conduct heat and electricity. Record the data of each experiment and compare the results to determine whether materials that conduct heat well are effective electrical insulators and whether good thermal insulators are electrical conductors.
Students will need 1.1 meter of copper wire, aluminum wire and steel wire, all of the same diameter. Bend .1 meter at the end of each wire to create a right angle. Use a permanent marker to place a mark on the wires every 200 mm, starting at the bend of the right angle. Fill a beaker with tap water and bring to a boil on the stove. Place an empty beaker near the first beaker and set the wires on the rims of the beakers so the bent tips are immersed in the boiling water in the first beaker without being held up by hand. Use a digital infrared thermometer to test each marked point on the three wires after 20 minutes. Record the data and compare the results.
High school physics students can learn about electrical circuits while building their own. Tape a 1.5-volt battery to a 10-inch square piece of cardboard with electrical tape. Cut four long strips of 20-14 gauge, insulated wire. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation back on both ends of each strip with scissors or wire strippers. Tape the exposed conductor at the end of one wire to the positive battery terminal and the conductor from the other wire to the negative terminal. Unscrew the end of a flashlight and remove the assembly that holds the light bulb. Tape the end of one wire to the conductive strip on the light assembly. Tape the remaining wire to the light bulb assembly's metal casing. Connect the bare conductors from one battery wire to one light assembly wire and twist together before taping to the cardboard. Hold the two unconnected wires and gently touch their bare conductors together to illuminate the light.