← Back to course
Everyday Machines / Week 08 / Machine Day
6/6
Week 08 · The Refrigerator

Machine Day

Machine Day: Cold and Warm Hunt
// A machine that moves heat out
⏱ about 15 min

Machine Day: Cold and Warm Hunt

Rocket holds a thermometer like a flag. "Hunt time!"

"We find the coldest spot and the warmest spot at home."

Raven grabs a notebook. "What do you notice before we measure?"

Nova hovers. "Hint: think about where heat likes to go."

  1. Heat moves from warmer things to cooler things.
  2. A fridge moves heat from inside to the room.
  3. The back of a fridge can feel warm.
  4. Insulation and a tight seal keep heat out.
  5. Fridge air should be 40 degrees or colder.
◇ FAMILY COLD AND WARM HUNT
Pick four spots. Try a sunny window, a shady corner, the floor and a shelf.
Guess which spot is warmest. Guess which is coldest.
A grown-up holds the thermometer at each spot.
Wait two minutes, then read the number.
Write each number in the table.
Were your guesses right?
SpotGuess: warm or cold?Reading
Sunny window
Shady corner
Floor
High shelf
For a grown-up
Hold the thermometer so the child can read it.
Keep hands and thermometers away from the stove and oven.
Ask: why might the window spot be different?
Safety first
A grown-up handles the thermometer.
Stay away from the stove, the oven and heaters.
Never touch the back of the fridge.
Nothing is eaten during this hunt.
HUNT CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A spot has the biggest number. Is it warm or cold?
A cold drink sits in a warm room. What happens?
SentenceTrue or false?
A bigger number on the thermometer means warmer.?
Heat moves from cool things to warm things.?
A grown-up handles the thermometer.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEReading a thermometer lets you compare spots fairly.
Draw a map of your home. Mark the warm spot and the cold spot.
← Friday