Introducing KNOVA — A free reading app with curriculum-aligned passages on History & Science for Grades 3-8Learn More →

Why Does Ice Melt in Your Hand — Reading Comprehension

No ratings yet

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

NGSS 4-PS3-2

Rate this resource

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

About This Reader

This engaging 250-word reading passage introduces fourth-grade students to the fundamental concepts of thermal energy and heat transfer aligned with NGSS 4-PS3-2 standards. Through the relatable example of ice melting in a hand, students explore how thermal energy flows from warmer objects to cooler objects through conduction. The passage explains that when you hold ice, your hand transfers thermal energy to the ice, causing the ice particles to move faster and change from solid to liquid. Students also learn why their hand feels cold during this process—because it is losing thermal energy. The audio-integrated lesson uses simple, grade-appropriate language to build foundational understanding of PS3.A (Definitions of Energy) and PS3.B (Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer). Key vocabulary terms including thermal energy, conduction, and particles are clearly defined within context. The passage avoids complex scientific jargon while maintaining scientific accuracy, making abstract concepts concrete through everyday experiences. Supplementary activities include comprehension questions, writing prompts, and graphic organizers that reinforce understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in energy transfer. This resource provides teachers with a complete instructional package for introducing heat transfer concepts before hands-on investigations.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Detailed close-up of a hand holding ice outdoors, showcasing winter cold and texture. — When you hold an ice cube, thermal energy moves from your hand into the ice. This movement of thermal energy is called heat transfer. Image credit Дмитрий Агеев / Pexels.

Thermal energy is the energy of moving particles inside matter. When you hold an ice cube, something interesting happens. Your hand is warmer than the ice, so thermal energy moves from your hand into the ice. This movement of thermal energy is called heat transfer.

Heat always flows from warmer objects to cooler objects. It never flows the other way. This is an important rule about energy. When thermal energy from your hand enters the ice, it makes the ice particles (tiny pieces that make up matter) move faster. Ice is solid water with particles locked in place. As the particles move faster, they break free from their locked positions. The solid ice turns into liquid water. This process is called melting.

Your hand feels cold because it is losing thermal energy to the ice. The ice is taking energy away from your hand. This happens through conduction, which is heat transfer between objects that touch each other.

You can see this same principle in many everyday situations. A cold drink warms up on a hot day because thermal energy moves from the warm air into the cold drink. A metal spoon in hot soup gets warm because thermal energy moves from the soup into the spoon. Understanding how thermal energy moves helps explain why things get warmer or cooler.

What is thermal energy?

Energy of moving particles in matterEnergy from the sun onlyEnergy that makes things coldEnergy stored in batteries

Which direction does heat always flow?

From cold objects to warm objectsFrom warm objects to cold objectsIn both directions equallyHeat does not flow

What happens to ice particles when melting?

They stop moving completelyThey move slower and lock togetherThey move faster and break freeThey disappear into the air

Why does your hand feel cold?

Ice adds cold energy to handHand loses thermal energy to iceIce creates new cold particlesHand stops making thermal energy

What is conduction?

Heat transfer through touching objectsHeat transfer through air onlyMaking objects conduct electricityFreezing water into ice

Why does cold drink warm up?

The drink makes its own heatCold energy leaves the drinkThermal energy moves from air to drinkThe cup heats the drink