ScienceSource 7 - Unit D

Polar Bears - how is changing climate and warmer temperatures affecting polar bears?

• Polar Bear - fantastic photos.
• Hinterland Who’s Who: The Polar Bear – great information, and links to excellent video clips.
• Polar Bears International – an amazing website, with the great Polar Trek activity booklet and game in the Tools For Teachers section.
• Polar Bears - just about anything you need to know about polar bears.

Arctic Tundra - this video provides insight into the challenges facing polar bears (free PBS registration may be required). The background essay and discussion questions are also very good.

Saving Energy Activities - try these interesting activities to increase your energy-saving awareness:

• Natural Resources Canada – this website has much energy efficiency information to explore.
• Kids Saving Energy – a collection of paper and computer-based interactive exercises to help increase the awareness of saving energy at home.

Body Heat - do different parts of your body lose heat at different rates? Try this lab to find out. (Student handout also available for download)

Unit Task: Insulating Materials - which materials work best to prevent the loss of heat in your home?

• Five Ways Your Home Loses Heat - knowing where to stop heat loss is as important as how to stop the heat loss.
• R-Values and Insulation - discover how well many materials insulate against heat loss.

Investigating Temperature Data - want to know what happens to temperature when you mix hot and cold water? Try this lab to find out. (Student handout also available for download)

Energy Transformations - energy can be transformed from one type to another:

• Energy Changes Make Things Happen! - a page full of examples of energy transformations.

Forms of Energy - What kind of forms can energy take?

• What is Energy? – a series of practical activities illustrating many of the 10 forms of energy.
• Scientific Forms of Energy - energy forms organized by into two major categories.

Section 10.1 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Energy Transformations - think you know your energy transformations? Try this puzzle!

Heat - What is heat? How does heat transfer between objects liquids and gases?

• Hot and Cold Water - a cool practical experiment illustrating how hot and cold water interact.
• The Basics of Heat Transfer - a simple list for good coverage of the basics.
• Heat is the Transfer of Thermal Energy - an easy-to-read article by the School of Champions

Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources - Some sources of energy can be used over and over, while some cannot:

• Re-Energy.ca - this website contains information about renewable resources in Canada.
• Renewable Energy - very extensive information for those looking do to deep research.

Why is Heat Important? - In this excellent video, the history of heat theory is explained and discussed.

Thermal Energy, Temperature, and Heat - what's the difference?

• Heat is the Transfer of Thermal Energy - how thermal energy moves; so what is temperature?
• Absolute Zero - very interesting info on absolute zero.

Measuring Temperature with Thermometers - accurate measures of temperature are possible if you choose the right device:

• Thermometer - this page contains very interesting historical information about thermometers.

Section 10.2 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

What is Hot? What is Cold? - do you know your definitions? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Particle Theory and Changes of State - understanding particles can help you understand the states of matter:

• States of Matter - this interactive website allows you to observe the particles of different materials at various pressures and temperatures.

Particle Theory - In this excellent video, the particle theory and how it is related to changes in state is explained and discussed.

Expansion Joint - a description of why these thermal expansion joints are necessary.

Phases of Water - - change the temperature of water and use the magnifying glass to see how the particles are affected(ExploreLearning login is required).

The Critical Role of Thermal Expansion - In this excellent video, thermal expansion is explained and discussed, especially considering its role in engineering.

Freezing and Melting of Water - examine the freezing and melting temperatures of water with this lab. (Student handout also available for download)

Changes of State - do you know your states of matter? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Section 10.3 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Conduction of Heat - In this excellent video, conduction of heat is explained and discussed.

Conduction and Convection - - two flasks contain water of a temperature you choose, when they connect what happens? (ExploreLearning login is required).

Heat Transfer Activities - try these out to test your knowledge of heat transfer:

• Greenhouse Effect - try this activity to learn more about heat transfer in the greenhouse effect.
• Conduction, Convection and Radiation – tour through the various methods of heat transfer.

Fire Walking - quite a wild choice for a hobby!

• Fire Walking: An Explanation - a clear explanation of the principles behind fire walking.
• How Fire Walking Works - an explanation of the science of fire walking.

Infrared Radiation - if you have the right detector, you can get some very interesting images.

• Infrared Vision - a great short video, plus more information.

Battling Bottles - Watch the experiment on video!

Polar Bear Skin - polar bears have black skin; is this an advantage in their environment? Do different colours affect the absorption of heat transferred by radiation? (Student handout also available for download)

Heat Transfer - do you know your heat transfers? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Section 10.4 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Phil Nuytten - undersea explorer and inventor

• Phil Nuytten - an interview by DIVE magazine.
• Nuytco Research - a company founded by Phil Nuytten.

Unit Task: Insulating Materials - which materials work best to prevent the loss of heat in your home?

• Five Ways Your Home Loses Heat - knowing where to stop heat loss is as important as how to stop the heat loss.
• R-Values and Insulation - discover how well many materials insulate against heat loss.

Anatomy of Katrina - this excellent interactive tour does a great job of explaining how Katrina formed.

Layers of Earth's Atmosphere - there are many unique qualities found at each level of Earth's atmosphere.

• Layers of the Earth's Atmosphere - a nice illustrative look at the atmospheric layers.
• Layers in the Atmosphere - an overview of each layer, along with a graph showing the changes in temperature with increasing altitude.

Radiation and Conduction in the Atmosphere - insolation (the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface) causes re-radiation off the surface, and allows the conduction and convection of energy.

• Earth's Atmosphere - a good review of all the parts of the atmosphere.
• What is Insolation? - includes insolation levels for hundreds of locations around the world.
• Atmospheric Effects on Incoming Solar Radiation - examining insolation as it applies to individual molecules in the atmosphere.

Section 11.1 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Heat Affects the Air Around Us - do you know how heat affects the air around us? Find out by trying this puzzle.

The Water Cycle - Earth's water is always in movement;

• Water Cycle - a colour diagram explains the water cycle.  Click on any topic on the diagram and explore more.
• Water Cycle - lots of info with activity sheets at the end.
• The Hydrologic Cycle - this page is divided into sections of interest, like evaporation, condensation and transport.  Each section has lots of information and good diagrams to help you.

Canadian Weather - Environment Canada does a great job of reporting Canada's weather.

What Makes Ocean Currents Move? - surface and deep currents move for different reasons:

• Currents of the Ocean - interesting details.
• Coriolis Force - air undergoes an apparent deflection. Learn how this works with the help of a movie.
• Bad Meteorology: Bad Coriolis - the urban myth that water drains in the opposite direction down under is not true.  It's all explained here.
• Deep Water Circulation - a conveyer belt of water circulation.
• Deep Waters of the Ocean - where do these deep waters come from? This site explains how deep water currents move.

Extreme Weather - what causes extreme, scary, even dangerous weather?

• Abrupt Climate Change - the movie, "The Day After Tomorrow," might have some factual basis. Learn how the oceans can have huge affects on our climate.
• Extreme Weather - click on a type of storm and learn more about it.
• How Tornadoes Work - very good explanation.
• How Hurricanes Work - fascinating set of pages.

Section 11.2 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Heat Affects Water - do you know how heat affects water? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Sea Floor Spreading- as hot, lower-density magma rises along mid ocean ridges, new sea floor is formed:

• Sea Floor Spreading - very good information on sea floor spreading.
• GalAPAGoS: Where Ridge Meets Hotspot - a study of the Galapagos Islands, including an explanation of hot spots like Hawaii.

Volcanic Rock - volcanoes are where the newest rocks on Earth are found:

• Volcanic Rock - everything you want to know.
• Igneous Rock - formed from magma.
• How Volcanoes Work - good overview of volcanoes.

Section 11.3 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Heat Affects Land - do you know how heat affects land? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Hurricane Katrina - a storm of massive proportions.

• Hurricane Katrina - tells the whole story of the storm.
• Hurricane Katrina - described from a meteorological perspective.

Unit Task: Insulating Materials - which materials work best to prevent the loss of heat in your home?

• Five Ways Your Home Loses Heat - knowing where to stop heat loss is as important as how to stop the heat loss.
• R-Values and Insulation - discover how well many materials insulate against heat loss.
• New and Alternative Insulation Materials and Products - read through this list of insulating materials that may be available for your insulating project.

Ice Storm of 1998 - a particularly devastating storm:

• North American ice storm of 1998 - excellent description of the storm's impact.
• A look back at the Quebec Ice Storm of 1998 - Ottawa Citizen archives provides a recap of this devastating storm.

A Heat and Temperature Challenge - save the Nerdbaits!

Producing Energy - there are many different methods of producing energy for homes and industry:

• How Nuclear Power Works - go inside a nuclear power plant to learn the basics.
• How Hydropower Plants Work - all about hydroelectric plants!
• How Solar Cells Work - how can sunlight generate energy? Find out here!
• How Fuel Cells Work - excellent overview of the technology.
• Fossil fuel Power Plant - a commonly used method of producing energy.

Section 12.1 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Energy Transformations and Heat Pollution - do you know about the connection between energy transformations and heat pollution? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Heat Islands - are they a problem?

• Urban Heat Island - very interesting reading on heat islands and what causes them.
• Heat Island Effect - excellent set of pages, and solutions for dealing with the extra heat.

The Greenhouse Effect - - use a simulated plot of land to change the amount of greenhouse gases in the air and monitor their effect (ExploreLearning login is required).

Greenhouse Effect - the natural greenhouse effect allows life to exist on Earth, while human activity adds to the enhanced greenhouse effect:

• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect - an Australian perspective on the greenhouse effects.
• The Greenhouse Effect - another nice overview, with student activities given at the end.

Kyoto Protocol - a history of Canada's involvement.

• Kyoto Protocol? - a Canadian government page on the Kyoto Protocol.
• Canada pulls out of Kyoto Protocol - details of Canada's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol.
• Canada and the Kyoto Protocol - a good overview of Canada's role in Kyoto.

Global Warming - once used to indicate much more, the term "global warming" now indicates an increase in global average temperature:

• Climate Change - the very latest on climate change news in Canada.
• Global Warming - lots of facts and figures.
• Global Average Temperatures - NASA supplies several visual summaries of average global temperatures.

Greenhouse Gases - several gases contribute to both the natural and enhanced greenhouse effects.

• GHG Online - this site tracks stories of all types regarding greenhouse gases, including descriptions of each.
• The Greenhouse Gases - very good information on the greenhouses gases.

Section 12.2 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Heat, Gases, and the Atmosphere - how do heat and gases affect the atmosphere? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Pine Beetle Infestation - the mountain pine beetle is devastating Canadian forests:

• Mountain Pine Beetle - the Ministry of Forests in B.C. maintains many resources on the mountain pine beetle problem.
• Battle in the Bark - does a great job of explaining the role of blue stain fungus and how it relates to the mountain pine beetle.

Renewable Energy in Ontario - our province is becoming a leader in the research and implementation of renewable energy programs:

• Renewable Energy in Canada - lots of Ontario information on this page.
• Green Energy Generation - discover more about renewable energy projects throughout Ontario.

Section 12.3 Quiz - need more practice? Try this online quiz.

Managing Heat Issues - what can be done about heat issues? Find out by trying this puzzle.

Unit Task: Insulating Materials - which materials work best to prevent the loss of heat in your home?

• Five Ways Your Home Loses Heat - knowing where to stop heat loss is as important as how to stop the heat loss.
• R-Values and Insulation - discover how well many materials insulate against heat loss.

Environmental Concerns - what are your concerns for the environment?

• Climate Change - on everyone's mind, but it is a complex issue.
• Alien Species in Canada - as climate changes, more and more alien species invade Canada.

Reading a Triple Beam Balance - this excellent activity lets you practice with a virtual triple beam balance.