Melting Ice Cubes
Bird use air to trap warmth, and this activity helps pupils understand this strategy.
Age Group: 9-12 years
Duration: 20 minutes
Biomimicry Connection:
[not yet]
Activity Details:
Tools and Materials
- Ice cubes (at least 2)
- Bubble wrap
- Desk lamp with old type bulb
- Tray
Preparation
Prepare the ice cubes and the bubble wrap. Beware that this experiment might result in wet surfaces.
Description
You can deliver this experiment as a demonstration or as groupwork. In case the pupils work in groups, give each group 2 ice cubes, 1 wrapper and a lamp. If there are not enough lamps, they can share together or after each other.
- Wrap an ice cube with bubble wrap (bubble wrap contains lots of air).
- Put a bare ice cube next to it and warm both of them with a lamp.
- Which ice cube melts first? Why?
- Discuss the result together (it is about the insulation property of air).
- What can we learn from this experience?
Extension
You may try out this activity with infrared lamp and with energy saving bulb. Why should we use the old type bulb for this activity?