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Intro to Thermal Energy Activity for Kids

Vibrating Molecules DIY

  • Duration: 15-20 min
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cost: $0 to $5

Learn how to make a model that shows the way molecules move around!

Visit The Full Lesson Download Instructions as PDF

Material List

  • 1Glass of WARM water
  • 1Glass of COLD water
  • 1Small tube of food coloring

Instructions

  • 1Make sure one glass of water is very cold and the other is warm.
  • 2Add 1 drop of food coloring into each glass (same color to each).
  • 3Observe how long it takes for the food coloring molecules to vibrate around and spread throughout the water.

How It Works

All atoms are constantly vibrating because they have thermal energy. Adding or removing thermal energy can change the state of matter. When you observe the food coloring in the two glasses, you’ll notice that the dye colors the water much faster when it is warm. This is because molecules that have more thermal energy vibrate around faster.

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Check out the Full Lesson on Intro to Thermal Energy

In this lesson, we learn that:

  • All atoms are constantly vibrating because they have thermal energy.
  • Adding or removing thermal energy can change the state of matter.
  • Chemical reactions can release or absorb thermal energy.

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