Internal energy teaching resources

Worksheets and lesson ideas to challenge students aged 11 to 16 to think about internal energy (GCSE and Key Stage 3)

Internal energy: kinetic and potential energy stores

GCSE worksheet on internal energy. This activity has been designed as an introduction to the concept of internal energy. Students should already have a sound understanding of the particle model and state changes before they complete this activity. For the demonstration you will need a beaker of crushed ice, thermometer and heat source. (PDF)

Thinking about heating curves and latent heat

KS3 activity to help students think about heating curves and latent heat. Students predict what will happen to the temperature of an ice cube as it is heated. They are presented with four different heating curves and must work out which is correct. The activity finishes with some questions to really challenge students to explain why the temperature of a substance does not change when it changes state. This activity is a good introduction to intermolecular forces. (PDF)

Measuring latent heat of vaporisation

GCSE activity on latent heat of vaporisation. The demonstration is a great way to then help students understand and calculate latent heat of vaporisation without lots of complicated equipment. Students should already be familiar with using the following equation:
change in thermal energy= mass×specific heat capacity ×temperature change before they complete this actvity. (PDF)

  1. Energy transfer by heating
  2. Internal energy
  3. Specific heat capacity