1. 4.1 Thermal equilibrium
Misconception
Cannot distinguish between energy , heat and temperature.
Construction of concept through effective questioning
Topic: Understanding Thermal Equilibrium .
Approach: Constructivism
Method: Hands – on Activity and Effective Questioning
Sequence
Implementing strategy: Perform a simple activity followed by effective
questioning technique to build the concept of thermal
equilibrium.
Activity 1: A few students are given clinical thermometers and asked to state
the reading
Q1 . What is the room temperature now ? (Accept any answer)
(A1: 28 0
C to 30 0
C)
Activity 2: Ask two students to put the thermometers under their tongues
Student A (Time: 30 seconds) Student B (Time: 5 minutes)
Ask the students to compare the reading on the thermometer between them
Q 3: Which student has a higher temperature ? Which student has a lower
temperature ?
(A3: B is higher than A)

2. Q 4: Why temperature A is lower than temperature B ? Why temperature B is
higher than temperature A ?
(A4: Because the temperature have not reach equilibrium)
Based on the answer Q 3 and Q4 , ask the student the correct way to use the
thermometer
Q5 . Which is the correct reading of the body temperature ?
(A5: Student B)
Q6. Why should we put the thermometer under the tongue ?
(A6 :There is thermal contact between two bodies or rate of heat flow is equal
between the two bodies)
Ask the student to relate between the heat and thermal equilibrium
Q7. Why the reading of thermometer increases ?
(A7: Heat transfer from higher temperature body to lower temperataure body)
Q8. Why we have to wait for a few minutes before taking the reading of the
thermometer ?
(A8: For both the body and thermometer to reach the same temperature . The
rate of heat flow is equal . The body and temperature are at thermal
equilibrium)
Applications of thermal equilibrium
Ask the students to give another example where the concept of thermal
equilibrium is applied in daily life
Q9. Can you give another example where the thermal equilibrium is applied in
our daily life?
(A9: The cooling of a cup of hot tea)