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What Is an Example of Conduction? — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

MS-PS3
HS-PS3
RI.6.3
RI.7.1

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This middle school science reading passage explains conduction through everyday examples, such as a hot metal spoon in soup or walking on a hot sidewalk. It is aligned with NGSS MS-PS3 standards, helping students understand how heat moves through solids and why metals conduct heat so well. The passage highlights key vocabulary such as conduction, conductors, insulators, and particles. Students also learn how insulation protects against heat transfer and how animals use fur as a natural insulator. With relatable real-life examples, this passage builds reading comprehension and supports science instruction focused on energy transfer and matter. It’s perfect for classroom discussions and activities that connect science to everyday life.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Have you ever touched a metal spoon left in a hot bowl of soup? If you have, you probably felt the heat travel up the spoon to your hand. That’s a great example of conduction—a type of heat transfer.

Conduction happens when heat moves through a solid object. In the case of the spoon, the hot soup heats the bottom of the spoon. The metal particles in the spoon start to vibrate as they get warmer. These vibrations pass from one particle to the next, carrying the heat up the spoon. Soon, the entire spoon becomes warm—even the part that’s not touching the soup!

This kind of heat transfer only works well in solids, especially in metals, because their particles are packed tightly and can easily pass energy from one to another. That’s why metals like copper, aluminum, and steel are used in cooking tools.

Another example is walking barefoot on a hot sidewalk. The heat from the sidewalk moves into your feet through conduction. If the sidewalk is very hot, it can even hurt!

To stay safe and comfortable, we often use insulators—materials that don’t conduct heat well. Oven mitts, wooden handles on pots, and rubber soles on shoes all help block conduction and protect us from burns.

The next time you feel something warm or cold after touching it, ask yourself: “Is this conduction at work?” You might be surprised by how often it happens in everyday life!

Fun Fact: That’s also why animals like penguins and polar bears have thick fur—it traps heat and slows down conduction, keeping them warm in freezing temperatures.

What is the main idea of the passage?

Why metal spoons are shinyWhat conduction is and how we experience itHow to make soup heat fasterWhat makes polar bears warm

Which is a good example of conduction?

A fan blowing airThe Sun warming your faceHeat moving through a metal spoon in hot soupA microwave heating food

What happens to metal particles when they get warm?

They freezeThey stop movingThey vibrate and pass heatThey melt into liquid

Why are metals good conductors?

They are shiny and lightTheir particles are spread outThey allow energy to move easily through themThey reflect heat away

What is an insulator?

Something that helps heat move fasterA type of metal used in cookingA material that blocks or slows down heatA tool for measuring temperature

According to the passage, what do oven mitts do?

Make food hotterStop soup from boilingBlock heat from reaching your handHeat your hand faster