Activity Detail
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Vernier - What Causes the Seasons?
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will explore how the tilt of the earth's axis results in different amounts of solar radiation at different times of the year, causing seasons. They will simulate the earth's warming using a light bulb that will shine on a Temperature Probe attached to a globe, and investigate how the warming of the globe is influenced by its tilt and position.

Before the Activity

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity for either DataMate or EasyData.

During the Activity

Distribute the pages to your class.

Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Place the globe with the North Pole tilted away from the light bulb, and position the light bulb at the same height as the Tropic of Capricorn
  • Find your city or location on the globe, and tape the Temperature Probe to the globe with the tip of the probe at your location
  • Position your location on the globe for winter data collection (in the Northern hemisphere), and record the beginning and final temperatures
  • Position your location on the globe for summer data collection (in the Northern hemisphere), and record the beginning and final temperatures
  • Understand how temperature changes for each seasons

    		After the Activity

    		Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Science : Middle Grades Science : Energy
    Science : Environmental Science : Atmosphere
    Science : Earth Science : Climate
    Science : Physical Science : Energy

    Author:
    Vernier Software & Technology

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60

    Device:
    TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family

    Apps:
    DataMate, EasyData™

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    CBL™/CBL 2™, Sensor - Temperature, TI Connectivity Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables, Vernier LabPro®

    Other:
    This is Experiment 10 from the Vernier Book: Middle School Science with Calculators

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Ring stand and utility clamp
  • Globe of the earth
  • Masking tape
  • Metric ruler
  • Lamp with 100-watt bulb
  • 20 cm length of string


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