Episode 40 – Hang On For Zeer Life

First, you will need to download the Hang on for Zeer Life lab manual.

With summer now in session, you may be visiting a few lakes or pools. Some of these large bodies of water, in particular, are rather cold even on the hottest days! Why could this be?

Water has something called a specific heat capacity. By definition, that is the amount of energy required (in the form of heat) to raise the substance (water) by one degree celsius. The specific heat capacity of water is super high, meaning it requires a lot of energy to raise the temperature of water.

This episode will explore the specific heat capacities of various substances using a zeer, which is an ancient refrigerator! To gather the temperature of our zeer, we will also construct our own thermometers.

Saskatchewan Curriculum Connections: DS1.1: Compare and represent daily and seasonal changes of natural phenomena through observing, measuring, sequencing, and recording. LS2.2: Investigate interactions between liquids and solids, and technologies based on those interactions.  HT7.1: Assess the impact of past and current heating and cooling technologies related to food, clothing, and shelter on self, society, and the environment.