Weather Lab

Problem Statement If heat is applied to soil and water by radiation energy from a lamp, which medium will change temperature faster?

1) Hypothesis Remember that a hypothesis is a possible explanation for our problem or question. “If the same mass of soil and water are heated evenly by a lamp, then the _______ will heat faster.”

2) Explanation A hypothesis should NEVER be a random guess, so we should always back it up with facts or evidence that we know about. Water will not heat as fast as soil because water has a high specific heat and will absorb more radiation energy before it changes in temperature.

Variables 3) Independent / Manipulated variable (the one changed by the investigator) We are choosing what material is being heated (either soil or water) 4) Dependent / Measured variable (the one measured by the investigator) We will measure the change in temperature of the different materials

5) Standards/Controls In order for us to compare the change in temperature between soil and water, the only thing different should be if we are measuring soil or water…

5) Standards/Controls Container Mass of water/soil Lamp Placement of the lamp Bulb in the lamp Thermometer Placement of the thermometer Amount of time lamp heats water/soil Amount of time between measurements Amount of time water/soil are allowed to cool

Control/Experimental Group The control group is what we compare the experimental group to in order to determine what effect our change had. Control group: Container holding water Experimental group: Container holding soil

Instructions Get materials: two lamps, two stands, one container with soil, one empty container, two thermometers Pick a container with water so it is approximately the same mass as the container filled with soil Set the containers under the stands and place the rounded end of the thermometers into the soil and water, and place the lamp(s) so they are close to the soil and water Draw a chart so that you can measure the temperature every minute for each material Measure the temperature of each before you start, then again every minute for at least ten minutes