Science · Our senses
Hot & cold
Sort what is hot and cold.
What does hot mean?
Hot things feel warm or can burn you. The sun is hot. A hot drink is hot. Your bath water can be hot. Hot things give off heat.
What does cold mean?
Cold things feel chilly or icy. Ice cream is cold. Snow is cold. The fridge makes food cold. Cold things take heat away.
How can we tell?
We can feel if something is hot or cold. Sometimes we can see steam coming from hot things. Cold things might have ice on them. Always ask a grown-up before touching something hot!
Be safe!
Never touch something if you think it is very hot. Ask a grown-up first. Very hot things can hurt your skin. Very cold things can hurt too if you touch them for too long.
Worked examples
1. Is a cup of tea hot or cold?
- Think about tea when it is just made.
- Tea is a hot drink.
- You can see steam coming from it.
- A cup of tea is hot.
2. Is an ice lolly hot or cold?
- An ice lolly comes from the freezer.
- It has ice in it.
- It feels chilly when you hold it.
- An ice lolly is cold.
3. Is a radiator hot or cold?
- A radiator warms up your room.
- It gives off heat.
- You feel warmth near it.
- A radiator is hot.
Try it yourself
Is a snowman hot or cold?
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