Temperature problem

Set up a metal surface and a plastic surface and ask students to touch both and say what they feel. They invariably, accurately, say that the metal surface feels colder.

But you can show them that the temperatures are virtually the same

Then add an ice cube to each surface and watch what happens

Questions you might ask• Why does the metal feel colder?• Is your finger actually colder than it was?• What is normal body temperature?• Is your finger normally at normal body temperature?• Does the metal plate get warmer when you touch it?• Does the metal plate get colder when the ice melts?• Does the plastic plate get colder quicker than the metal

plate?• What’s the difference between temperature and heat?