The State of Utah has set a record for cold this winter. Thirty-three days below 32 degrees! We learned that when the Earth is tipped away from the Sun during our Winter months the Sun's angle of rays aren't as strong, or direct, in heating the Earth in the Northern parts of the planet. We are really feeling that decrease in Thermal Energy this year! Can we measure thermal energy? Yes! Taking the Earth's temperature helps us to understand how hot or cold some place is, but the REAL definition of temperature is "the measure of KINETIC ENERGY of molecules in a substance. The KINETIC ENERGY in Utah's atmosphere has been greatly decreased this year!! Molecules are always in motion, they have kinetic energy and the faster they move the more kinetic energy they have. It's all about the HEAT, or Thermal Energy in the system that causes the molecules to move faster and faster. If you compare the molecules in a cold chocolate candy bar, they move very slowly compared to a heated chocolate candy bar.... Thermal energy that goes INTO a substance will cause MELTING. If you take the thermal energy OUT of the substance, the molecules will FREEZE. When you have a temperature during a bout of the flu or bronchitis, the thermometer that you stick under your tongue, under your armpit or in your ear is measuring how fast the molecules in your body are moving! When your temperature goes down, your body organs and systems slow down to their normal rate of energy. Many people lose weight when they are sick with a fever because their body is burning so much energy! And you get super thirsty too because so much of your fluids are being lost or used up! If your temperature gets too high the doctor may recommend going outside where it is cold, or taking an ice bath. Some high temperatures require laying on a bed of ice! Heated molecules is kind of a big deal... Gives new meaning to the phrase "when you are hot, you're hot"!
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |