Activity Overview
Students model the process of cooling and use a cooling curve to simulate a forensic scenario to predict the time of death. They use technology to find an exponential plot.
Before the Activity
Set up the calculator for data collection
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 167 - 175 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Insert a thermometer inside a hot potato and place the potato in cold water
Record the temperature
Enter the time and the temperature as lists
Set up a scatter plot and model the data by graphing a line of best fit using exponential regression
Record the temperature of another hot potato that has been cooled
Use the graph to determine the time when the potato was removed from the hot water
Understand how forensic study of body temperature of a corpse facilitates calculation of the time of death
After the Activity
Students will complete the Data Collection and Analysis page and answer questions.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary