| 5. Temperature |
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Temperature is an measure
of the amount of heat that things contain. When something
is at a lower temperature than our body, we say it is
cold, and when it is at a higher temperature than our
body we say it is hot. When heat is applied to something,
its temperature rises. We measure the temperature of things
with a thermometer.
Things can change state with changes in temperature: solids may change
to a liquid state when heated; liquids become gas when boiled; and
liquids and gases may become solids when cooled.
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| Generalising. Generalising is a form of reasoning
based upon experience. Generalising is a useful way to express
connections that we see between past and present experiences. But
there are exceptions to generalisations, and therefore, given new
evidence that disproves a generalisation, a flexible and critical
thinker should be willing to discard or change a generalisation. |
| Which of the following generalisations seems most
probably correct? Given what evidence would we have to question
its truthfulness? |
| 1. |
Whales are mammals and they are warm-blooded
animals.
Thousands of other mammals that live on Earth are warm-blooded
animals.
Therefore, mammals are warm-blooded animals. |
| 2. |
The last few times I’ve had flu I had fever
as well.
I have flu now and I have fever as well.
Therefore, flu causes fever. |
| 3. |
When ice is heated, it melts. When plastic is
heated, it melts.
When wax is heated, it melts. When sugar is heated, it melts.
Therefore, heat always melts what it touches. |
| 4. |
Today I’ve been out in the sun and I have
spots on my hands.
Yesterday I was out in the sun and I got spots on my hands.
Last summer when I was out in the sun I got spots on my hands.
Therefore, ..................... |
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| Ø Make a graph. Get
two thermometers: put one in the classroom and the other outdoors.
During a week in winter note down the two temperatures at the same
hour and make a graph that shows the differences. |
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| Find information about the
precautions that should be taken to avoid sunstroke. |
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| © Grup IREF 2003, with the support of the European Commission, DG XXII (Socrates/Comenius 3.2) |
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