Unit Introduction
| Unit 5 | | | Fire |
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In this unit, you will learn
the nature of heat, energy, and fire
how to keep track of and measure changes in energy
about energy exchanges associated with chemical changes
how chemical energy is transformed into work
about energy exchanges during reactions with metals and ionic compounds
how light energy interacts with matter
Why Fire?
Every change that happens to matter is accompanied by a change in energy. Fire is visible evidence of the energy associated with one particular type of chemical change. When a compound burns, it is broken down into smaller, less complex substances, and heat and light are released. When fire is uncontrolled, it can be destructive. However, this same chemical reaction can also provide heat, light, and mechanical or electrical energy. This unit explores how the energy from chemical and physical change can be observed, measured, understood, and controlled.