How Hot is Too Hot? : Using Thermodynamics to Study Fuels

Heather Layman, Chemistry, South Mecklenburg High School

Final Unit (PDF)     Implementing Common Core Standards (PDF)

This curriculum unit is designed to help high school students relate more closely with the topic of thermodynamics by working with fuels and doing an inquiry lab with fabrics. The two big connections are quantifying the energy that is stored in certain fuels in relation to things that students can grasp. An activity demonstrating such a connection is an inquiry lab about the safety of fabrics.