Can you tell hot from cold?

Absolutely! But the answer is not always “Yes”. Our bodies have special sensors called receptors that help us feel different sensations. When we touch something hot, like a warm cup of cocoa, these receptors send a message to our brain saying, “Hey, this is hot!”

But be careful! Some things can be too hot or too cold to touch. Always ask a grown-up before touching something that looks hot or cold.

Try this experiment and see why.

All you need is: three pans or bowls, hot water and cold water.

Step 1: Prepare hot water. Be sure the water is not too hot to put your hands in it.
Step 2: Half fill one with hot water. Please ensure the water is not hot enough to boil !!!!
Step 3: Place lukewarm water in the second.
Step 4: Place pour very cold water in the third.
Step 5: Set them in a row on the table, with the lukewarm water in the center.
Step 6: Place your left hand in the hot water and your right hand in the cold water. Keep them in for a few minutes.
Step 7: Take your hands out, shake off the water, and put both into the middle bowl.
How do they feel?

What you will see: Your hands feels the temperature of the water different. Your left hand feels cold and your right hand feels warm.

Why: When you put your hands in the center bowl, some heat from your left-hand leaves and goes to warm up the water, and so you feel a loss of heat-your left-hand feels cold. The heat from the water travels to your cold right hand, and so you feel a gain of heat-your right-hand feels warm.

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