Education Technology


NASA- Newton's Cool in the Pool

Activity Overview

In this activity for the TI-84, students will use Newton’s Law of Cooling to predict temperature loss.

Objectives

Students will:

  • analyze temperature-loss data graphically;
  • use Newton’s Law of Cooling to predict temperature loss;
  • solve the Newton’s Law of Cooling formula for the exponential constant of cooling (k); and
  • determine the time required for tank temperature to equalize with room temperature.

Vocabulary

  • Exponential
  • Logarithmic
  • Inverses
  • Ambient Temperature
  • Neutral Buoyancy

About the Lesson

The goal of this activity is to help students analyze temperature-loss data graphically, use Newton’s Law of Cooling to predict temperature loss, solve the Newton’s Law of Cooling formula for the exponential constant of cooling (k), and determine the time required for tank temperature to equalize with room temperature.