Activity Overview
In this activity, students will use temperature sensors to compare the heating rates of wet sand and dry sand. They will use the results of the experiment to understand more about the effects of evaporation.
Before the Activity
- Plug two temperature sensors in Channel 1 and Channel 2 on the CBL 2 and download DataMate™ program
- Download TI Connect™ to analyze data on the computer
- See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
- Print pages 105 - 110 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class
Follow the Activity procedures:
Collect one tray of dry sand and one tray of wet sand
Bury the end of a temperature sensor 0.5 cm below the surface of the sand in each tray
Place a heat lamp 20 cm above the two trays of sand
Start taking readings and stop after 11 data samples from each sensor have been collected
Graph the data
Compare the change in temperature for the drysand and wet sand
Understand the effects of evaporation on cooling
After the Activity
Students' will complete Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary