Year 4 - Science
Thermometers and data loggers
Introduction to states of matter and changing states
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores the properties of solids, liquids, and gases, and how materials change state when heated or cooled. It covers evaporation, condensation, and the water cycle, with a focus on practical enquiries, careful observations, accurate measurements, and presenting findings.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to measure and record temperature in different ways.
Key Notes
- Temperature is a measure of the heat of an object.
- A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature.
- In the UK, the unit of temperature measurement is degrees Celsius, represented by the symbol °C.
- Data loggers can be used to monitor and record changes in the environment such as light, sound and temperature.
Vocabulary To Learn
- temperature: Temperature is a measure of the heat of an object.
- heat: If you feel heat from something, you feel warmth coming from it.
- thermometer: A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature.
- degrees Celsius: Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
- data logger: A data logger is an electronic device that uses sensors to monitor and record changes in the environment over time.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that thermometers are heat sources. They may also think that they must touch an object to measure its temperature.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Temperature is a measure of the heat of an object. A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'temperature'
Temperature is a measure of the heat of an object. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think that thermometers are heat sources. They may also think that they must touch an object to measure its temperature. Correction: Teaching slides explain how to use a thermometer and show that you can use them to measure ambient temperature.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing state: gas to liquid Study Guide
- Changing state: liquid to gas Study Guide
- Changing state: liquid to solid Study Guide
- Changing state: solid to liquid Study Guide
- Comparing and grouping solids, liquids and gases Study Guide
- Evaporation and condensation in the water cycle Study Guide
- Everyday examples of changing state: solids and liquids (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Everyday examples of evaporation and condensation (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Melting ice caps and glaciers (non statutory - Climate Change & Sustainability) Study Guide
- Melting temperatures: do and review Study Guide
- Melting temperatures: plan Study Guide
- Melting temperatures: research Study Guide
- Properties of solids, liquids and gases Study Guide
- Temperature and evaporation: do and review Study Guide
- Temperature and evaporation: plan Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 4 Science guide library.