Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

Thermal Store of Energy

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

  • Identify which of two objects or substances has the most energy in its thermal store when the only difference between them is temperature

  • Identify which of two objects or substances has the most energy in its thermal store when the only difference between them is their mass

  • Explain the difference between energy (in a thermal store) and temperature

  • Describe how the specific heat capacity of a material affects the amount of energy in its thermal store

  • Use the equation E = mcDT to calculate the energy needed to increase the temperature of a material

The resources include details of common misconceptions and a summary of the research upon which the resources are based.

Download the zip file for all the questions and activities.

More resources like this can be found on the BEST webpage:  Best Evidence in Science Teaching

Show health and safety information

Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

Show downloads

Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.