Activity Overview
In this adventure, students make two models to simulate the cooling rate of different skin surface areas and determine the effect of skin surface area on the results. Students graph temperature as a function of time, interpret, and analyze graphs of data collected. Students also understand slope and rate of change.
Before the Activity
- Connect CBL 2 to the calculator.
- Download the DataMate app to the calculator.
- Launch the DATAMATE program
- Plug the TI temperature sensor into Channel 1 (CH 1) on the CBL 2
- Tie off the fingers of one glove
- See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
- Print pages 41 - 42 from the attached PDF file for your class
- Transfer files to student calculators using TI-Navigator™ "send to class" feature
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the Adventure procedures:
Fill the glove that has the fingers tied with 200 ml of warm water
Insert the temperature sensor into the water inside the glove
Set the probe to measure the temperature of the water after every 30 seconds
Hold the end of the glove closed, put the glove into the beaker or container of ice and water
Record the temperature over a period of 10 minutes
Repeat the experiment with the glove that does not have the fingers tied
View the two graphs
Glove without tied fingers has a greater surface area, water inside cools quicker, and hence displays a steeper cooling graph
Students calculate the surface area and volume of a sphere and find the ratio
Graph the ratio versus the radius of the sphere
Explain that the graph shows an inverse relationship because as the radius increases, the ratio decreases
After the Activity
Students analyze the results and answer the questions in the worksheet
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary