Heat and Energy

Resources

Living Space

Participating classes will explore how indoor environmental conditions influence human health, and identify the best conditions for healthy living. This knowledge is important not only on Earth, but also on the International Space Station (ISS), the future Lunar Gateway, and as long-duration space travel progresses, maybe even on Mars!

Generating Electricity: Biomass

Learn how biomass can be used to generate electricity.

Introduction to Heat Transfer

Learn about the different ways that heat is transferred.

Coal and natural gas fueled generator near Hanna, Alberta, Canada

Generating Electricity: Fossil Fuels

Learn how energy from fossil fuels can be used to generate electricity.

ScienceXplosion - The Era of the Air Pump

On this episode of ScienceXplosion, Eric makes a bottle rocket.

Eric experimenting friction with different objects

ScienceXplosion - Friction and Reality

Rub... rub... rub... Can you feel the heat? Yes? It's friction! In this episode of ScienceXplosion, Eric learns how friction creates heat and can slow down moving objects. It's not magic, it's science!

hermographic image a woman’s head and neck

Thermal Imaging

Learn about uses of thermal imaging as a medical imaging technology.

Physics Videos

Energy-saving light bulbs are a great way to save money at home

Energy Efficiency at Home

If you understand heat transfer, you can make lots of little changes at home to help the environment and your household’s bank account!

How Do Sleeping Bags Work?

How do our bodies get cold? How do sleeping bags keep us warm?

A person’s hand holding a cold pack on an ankle

The Cold Pack: A Chilly Example of an Endothermic Reaction

When you hurt your ankle, thermodynamics can help you heal! An endothermic reaction reduces the swelling by cooling your injury.

Above: Tires on a Boeing 737 (Wikimedia Commons/Politikaner)

How do an Airplane's Tires Help It Land Safely?

Manufacturing and engineering airplane tires is important work! Learn how airplane tires keep the aircraft safe during takeoff and landing.

Tapping Underground Energy with Heat Pumps

Using the heat of the Earth’s interior, you can heat your home with a ground source heat pump. This kind of heating is cheaper and better for the environment!

Radiation shielding garment on the International Space Station

Radiation and Human Space Exploration

One of the greatest hazards that humans in space face is cosmic radiation. Learn what cosmic radiation is, why it's dangerous, and ways that we are looking at protecting humans in deep space.

Keeping the Rink on Ice

Learn about the chemistry of ice skating rinks, and the technology & engineering that lets us enjoy them indoors as well as outside.

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