{"id":239439,"date":"2020-07-11T13:44:16","date_gmt":"2020-07-11T05:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/?p=239439"},"modified":"2025-08-04T16:38:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T08:38:06","slug":"interpreting-graphs-on-heat-conductivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/interpreting-graphs-on-heat-conductivity\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Interpret Line Graphs on Heat Conductivity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.8&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Interpreting <a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/category\/primary-school-science-techniques\/primary-4-science\/heat-energy\/\"><strong>Heat Energy<\/strong><\/a> line graphs can be frustrating for many students and even parents.<\/p>\n<p>If your child is unable to draw meaningful insights from Heat Energy line graphs, he\/she may see himself\/herself struggling with Heat Energy graph questions.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, I will teach you how to interpret such line graphs easily and how to answer the corresponding question on the heat conductivity of the materials.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Let&#8217;s Try This Question!<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-239527 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.44.46-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"956\" height=\"1018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.44.46-PM.png 956w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.44.46-PM-141x150.png 141w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.44.46-PM-282x300.png 282w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.44.46-PM-768x818.png 768w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.44.46-PM-531x565.png 531w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Source: St. Margaret&#8217;s Primary School \u2013 2018 P4 SA2 Examination Paper [Q38]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Before I move on to explaining this question, please take a moment to pick your choice of material.<\/p>\n<p>Now, explain your choice. Did your answer include the following points?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Choice of material<\/li>\n<li>The data you can see from the graph<\/li>\n<li>The heat conductivity of the material you chose<\/li>\n<li>The link between the heat conductivity of the material and the function of a handle of a spatula<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Many of my students who struggle to obtain full marks for such questions either:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>chose the wrong material because <span style=\"color: #f44a4a;\"><strong>they cannot tell which line depicts a poorer conductor of heat<\/strong><\/span>,<\/li>\n<li>chose the wrong material because<span style=\"color: #f44a4a;\"><strong> they mistakenly think that a better conductor of heat would be more suitable<\/strong><\/span> to make the handle of the spatula, or<\/li>\n<li>chose the correct material, but <span style=\"color: #f44a4a;\"><strong>failed to use the data from the graph and\/or explain the heat transfer between the user\u2019s hand and the heat source<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you fall into one of the above groups of students, read on to learn how to score full marks for this type of questions on heat conductivity!<\/p>\n<h2>Interpreting The Graph<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-239446\" src=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Interpreting-Graphs-on-Heat-Conductivity-Interpret-The-Graph.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"654\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Interpreting-Graphs-on-Heat-Conductivity-Interpret-The-Graph.png 654w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Interpreting-Graphs-on-Heat-Conductivity-Interpret-The-Graph-150x62.png 150w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Interpreting-Graphs-on-Heat-Conductivity-Interpret-The-Graph-400x165.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>From the graph, we can see that the temperature of the rod made of material A was higher than that made of material B after 10 minutes. This shows that the temperature of material A decreased more slowly over time as compared to the temperature of material B.<\/p>\n<p>If you have difficulty interpreting the graph, try visualising the two lines on the graph as slides. Line A is a more gradual slide, whereas line B is a steeper slide. Which would allow you to slide down more slowly?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-239447\" src=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Line-A-vs-Line-B-Slide-Comparison.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"905\" height=\"343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Line-A-vs-Line-B-Slide-Comparison.png 905w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Line-A-vs-Line-B-Slide-Comparison-150x57.png 150w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Line-A-vs-Line-B-Slide-Comparison-400x152.png 400w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Line-A-vs-Line-B-Slide-Comparison-768x291.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 905px) 100vw, 905px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Line A would allow you to slide down <span style=\"color: #f44a4a;\"><strong>slower<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>I hope this image is useful in helping you visualise that the temperature of material A decreased <span style=\"color: #f44a4a;\"><strong>slower<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-also\">\n<h3>Read Also:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/beginner-guide-heat-energy\/\">A Beginner&#8217;s Guide To Tackling Heat Energy Open-ended Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/cooking-the-carrot-an-application-question-on-heat-energy\/\">Cooking the Carrot: An Application Question on Heat Energy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/heat-energy-x-water-cycle\/\">Heat Energy X Water Cycle: How Both Concepts Can Be Tested Together<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Properties of Good &amp; Poor Conductors of Heat<\/h2>\n<p>Next, we need to decide if each line shows the properties of a better or poorer conductor of heat.<\/p>\n<p>Let us recall the properties of good and poor conductors of heat:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-239529 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.52.00-PM-1024x301.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.52.00-PM-1024x301.png 1024w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.52.00-PM-150x44.png 150w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.52.00-PM-400x117.png 400w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.52.00-PM-768x226.png 768w, https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Screenshot-2019-11-21-at-5.52.00-PM.png 1076w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since material A <strong>decreased in temperature more slowly<\/strong>, material A lost heat to the cooler surrounding air <strong>more slowly<\/strong> and is a <strong>poorer<\/strong> conductor of heat.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, as material B <strong>decreased in temperature more quickly<\/strong>, material B lost heat to the cooler surrounding air <strong>more quickly<\/strong> and is a <strong>better<\/strong> conductor of heat.<\/p>\n<p>In summary,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Material A:<\/strong> Decrease in temperature more slowly -&gt; lose heat more slowly -&gt; poorer conductor of heat<\/li>\n<li><strong>Material B:<\/strong> Decrease in temperature more quickly -&gt; lose heat more quickly -&gt; better conductor of heat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Choosing The Correct Material<\/h2>\n<p>After establishing the heat conductivity of the two materials, we need to consider the function of the handle of the spatula in order to determine the more suitable material.<\/p>\n<p>Picture this: You are in the kitchen at home, trying to fry an egg to go with your dinner.<\/p>\n<p>It is time to flip the egg so that the other side will be evenly cooked as well. You pick up the spatula, slide it under the egg, and you try to slowly dislodge the egg from the bottom of the frying pan so that you can flip the whole piece over successfully.<\/p>\n<p>However, the longer the spatula remains near the hot pan, the hotter the handle of the spatula gets.<\/p>\n<p>Do you want the handle to heat up quickly or slowly?<\/p>\n<p>Well, unless you wish to fry your hand along with the egg, you would want the handle to increase in temperature <span style=\"color: #f44a4a;\"><strong>slowly<\/strong><\/span>!<\/p>\n<p>Now, refer to the properties of good and poor conductors of heat once more. Which type of conductor of heat should you pick to make the handle of the spatula?<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s right \u2013 a poor conductor of heat is more suitable than a good conductor of heat! Hence, material A, the poorer conductor of heat, should be our choice for this question.<\/p>\n<h2>Phrasing Our Answer<\/h2>\n<p>In case you have forgotten, here is the question:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhich material, A or B, would be suitable for making the handle of the spatula? Explain your answer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Since there are two materials to pick from, you need to <u>compare<\/u> your material of choice to the other material that you did not pick. Additionally, since this is a question on Heat Energy, your explanation needs to include the <u>heat transfer<\/u> between the heat source and the relevant objects.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, here is what the answer should look like:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>Choose: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Material A.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use data from the graph:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The temperature of material A decreased more slowly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Explain the data:<\/strong><br \/>This shows that material A lost heat to the cooler surrounding air more slowly and is a poorer conductor of heat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Link back to the function of the handle:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thus, a handle made of material A would conduct heat from the flame to the user\u2019s hand more slowly, preventing the user\u2019s hand from getting scalded easily.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I hope that after reading this article, you are now more confident in tackling <a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/category\/primary-school-science-techniques\/primary-4-science\/heat-energy\/\"><strong>Heat Energy<\/strong><\/a> questions that come with line graphs!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;CCI&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||&#8221; global_module=&#8221;239753&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#898989&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22.7&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/The-Pique-Lab-CCI-Science-Course-CTA.png&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; align_tablet=&#8221;center&#8221; align_phone=&#8221;&#8221; align_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;CCI&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.8&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; text_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>If you like our methodology, we&#8217;ve some upcoming workshops:<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.5.3&#8243; text_font=&#8221;geomanist-medium||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#f44a4a&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;2em&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/p3-science\/cci\/\"><strong>P3 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/p4-science\/cci\/\"><strong>P4 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/p5-science\/cci\/\"><strong>P5 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/p6-science\/cci\/\"><strong>P6 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":241621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,7,4,6,3],"tags":[51],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239439"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239439"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":241468,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239439\/revisions\/241468"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239439"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=239439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}