Temperature Control &

Ventilation
Grade 10
Specific Objectives
Students should be able to:

1. Describe the methods of heat transfer and their applications.

2. Explain the principle by which thermostatically controlled appliances operate.
3. Describe the types of thermometer in relation to the principles by which they work.
4. Explain the cooling effects of evaporation.
5. Explain the need for proper ventilation.
Heat Transfer
★ Heat is the form of energy that is transferred between two substances at different temperatures.
★ The direction of energy flow is from the substance with higher temperature to the substance with lower
temperature.
★ Heat and temperature are NOT the same.
★ Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object. When temperature
increases, the motion of these particles also increases.
Methods of Heat Transfer
There are three methods by which heat energy can be transferred:

1. Conduction
2. Convection
3. Radiation
Conduction
★ Conduction is the transfer of heat energy through a material, mainly solids.
★ Materials through which heat energy can be transferred are called conductors.
★ Some materials do not conduct heat well, These are called non-conductors or
insulators.

Examples
Conductors Non-conductors/ Insulators

Metals (silver, copper, brass steel, Wool

aluminium)

Graphite Glass

Humans Plastic
Convection
★ Convection is the transfer of heat energy through fluids (liquids and gases) by the
movement of the particles themselves.
★ When fluids are heated, they expand because the particles vibrate more and push
each other farther apart.
★ Liquids and gases become less dense as they get warmer. As a result warm gas or
liquid will begin to rise. While cooler, more dense, gas and liquid will sink to take its
place.
★ This constant circulation of hot or warm particles moving upwards and cooler
particles moving downwards is called convection current.
Convection Current in Air
The movement of air currents is call wind or breeze.

★ Sea Breeze - during the day the Sun warms up the land and the sea. The land
warms up more than the water, so the sea stays cooler than the land. As the land
gets hot it warms the air directly above it. The warm air expands and rises and the
cooler air above the sea moves in to take its place. This movement of cool air from
sea to land is called a sea breeze.
Sea Breeze
Convection Current in Air
Land Breeze - at nights the land cools faster than the sea. The warmer air above the sea
rises and cooler air from above the land moves in to take its place. This movement of air
from land to sea is called land breeze.
Land Breeze
Other Examples of Convection Current
★ When you place your hand at a safe distance above a flame.
★ Baking in the oven
★ Heating a pot of water on the stove
Radiation
★ Radiation is the process by which heat is transferred through an empty space or
vacuum.
★ A good example of radiation is the heat energy from the Sun which passes through
the vacuum of space to reach the Earth.
★ Another example is the heat that reaches us when sitting around an open fire.
Applications of Controlling Heat Transfer
Vacuum Flask
Applications of Controlling Heat Transfer
Clothing

★ We use clothes to insulate our bodies from our surroundings.

★ Dark, dull colors are excellent absorbers of heat while light, shiny colors absorb
less heat because they are better reflectors.
★ People in hot climate often wear light colored clothing to keep cool. However, the
type of fabric that make the clothing can also affect how heat is transferred
through them.
★ People living in colder climates wear clothing made of insulating fibres, such as
wool, in order to keep warm.
Temperature Control in Household Appliances

Many household appliances include heating and cooling equipment, such as irons,
ovens, air conditioners, water heaters and refrigerators. The temperature of all these
appliances need controlling, and this is done by with a thermostat.
Temperature Control in Household Appliances

A thermostat is made up of three main parts:

1. Temperature setting knob - this is the part of the thermostat that you see. It is
usually a knob or button that is used to adjust the temperature of the appliance.
2. Bimetallic strip - a temperature sensitive strip, made of two metals, which
switches the appliance on or off.
3. Contacts/switch - these make the connection between the bimetallic strip and the
electrical circuit of the appliance.
How does the bimetallic strip work?
How does the bimetallic strip work?
★ The bimetallic strip is made up of two strips of different metals weld together.
These two metals expand and contract at different rates.
★ Brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) and iron are the two metals commonly used to
make bimetallic strips. Brass expands more than iron when heated and contracts
more when cooled.
How does the bimetallic strip work?
How a thermostat regulate temperature of heating
appliances
1. When using a clothing iron the temperature setting knob is adjusted to match the
type of fabric. When the knob is switch from zero, contacts of the bimetallic strip
and electric circuit are pushed together. The iron is said to be “on”.
2. As electric current flows through the bimetallic strip, the iron heats up. This causes
the metals in the strip to expand. The strip bends so much that the connection
between the bimetallic strip and electric circuit is broken. Since no electric current
is flowing the iron begins to cool down.
3. As the bimetallic strip cools it straightens, pulling the strip back to its original
position. The contacts are rejoined and the iron starts to heat up again. The cycle
continues until ironing is complete.
Thermostat in Clothing Iron
How a thermostat regulate temperature of cooling
appliances
1. When a refrigerator is turned on, the temperature setting knob is adjusted to the
desired position. This causes the bimetallic strip to make contact with the electric
circuit and current begins to flow to the cooling mechanism.
2. As the refrigerator cools, the bimetallic strip also cools down and the metals in the
strip contract causing it to bend. This causes the circuit to break and electric
current stops flowing.
3. Every time the refrigerator is opened, the air becomes warm. This warms the
bimetallic strip and the metals expand. The strip straightens and close the
connection so current begins to flow once more.
Thermostat in Refrigerator
How is temperature measured?
Activity/Homework
A. Research the different types of thermometers and find pictures of each.
1. Laboratory thermometer
2. Clinical thermometer
3. Digital thermometer
4. Infrared Thermometer

B. State at least TWO differences between the laboratory thermometer and clinical
thermometer.
The importance of controlling ventilation
★ Ventilation is the movement or circulation of air within an enclosed space.
★ It involves the removal of stale, hot, humid air from a space and replacing it with a
good supply of fresh air.
Importance of Ventilation
★ Replenish oxygen supply
★ Removes excess carbon dioxide
★ Removes excess heat
★ Removes or dilute pollutants
★ Removes dust, odours and bacteria
★ Controls humidity

NB. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air.

How does ventilation work? (Mechanism)
1. Mixing ventilation - this is called dilution ventilation because the mixing of stale
and fresh air reduces the concentration of pollutants, moisture, heat and odours in
the air. Mixing is achieved by natural air current or mechanically by the use of fans.

2. Displacement ventilation - completely removing stale air and replacing with fresh
air. Example, using vents in our homes.
How is ventilation provided?
1. Natural ventilation - the air movement depends on wind speeds and temperature
differences between inside and outside.

2. Mechanical ventilation - air movement is caused by artificial means, such as the

use of fans, air extractors and air conditioners.
How can ventilation be improved?
There are different ways in which ventilation can be improved:

1. Open windows/doors
2. Install extractor fan/ ceiling vent
3. Using a fan/AC
4. Having house plants