Laboratory Activity

Science • Grade 7

Name: Date:

ACTIVITY 10.1.

Heat Transfer

Objective
At the end of this laboratory activity, the students should be able to investigate the rate of
heat transfer from water through different metal spoon handles of different lengths.

Materials and Equipment

● two metal spoons of different lengths
● 250 mL beaker
● hot water
● plastic knife
● margarine
● watch or clock

Procedure
1. Prepare the materials.
2. Place the two metal spoons in the beaker.
3. Carefully fill the beaker with hot water. One half of the volume would be enough.
4. Using the plastic knife, put the same amount of margarine on the handle of each
spoon. Make sure that the spoons do not touch each other.
5. Record the “Start Time” for both spoons. Carefully observe the bits of margarine in
each spoon.
6. Take note of the time when the bits of margarine started to melt and slide down the
spoon’s handle. Record it as the “End Time.”
7. Calculate the total time it takes for the margarine to melt for each spoon.

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Science • Grade 7

Data and Results

Table 10.1.1. Melting time of margarine in the spoon

Spoon Start Time End Time

(in minutes) (in minutes)

Short

Long

B. Use the data in the chart above to complete the bar graph below.

Guide Questions
1. In which spoon does the margarine melt first?
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2. What factor greatly affects the rate of melting of margarine?

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Science • Grade 7

3. What can you say about the relationship between the spoon's length and the rate at
which the margarine melts?
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