Preliminary Activity For A Local Weather Study: Experiment

Experiment
PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY FOR

2
A Local Weather Study
Weather is simply what is happening in the atmosphere at a particular place at a particular
moment. Climate, on the other hand, is the average weather in an area over a long period of time.
In this experiment, you will make weather measurements and investigate factors that influence
weather and climate.
In the Preliminary Activity, you will gain experience measuring temperature, relative humidity,
and UV radiation.
After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more
about weather before you choose and investigate a researchable question. Some topics to consider
in your reference search are:
• weather
• climate
• relative humidity
• rain shadows
• solar radiation
• hydrologic cycle
PROCEDURE
1. Go to a web site, suggested by your teacher, which gives the local weather for your school
area. Note the displayed weather characteristics and their units.
2. Connect a Temperature Probe and a Relative Humidity Sensor to the data-collection interface.
3. Note and record the displayed values.
4. Disconnect the Temperature Probe and the Relative Humidity Sensor from the data-collection
interface. Connect the UVB Sensor to the interface.
5. Use a ring stand and a utility clamp to suspend the UVB Sensor aiming directly at the sun.
When it is aimed directly at the sun, its shadow is a small round circle. CAUTION: Do not
look directly at the sun.
6. Note and record the displayed reading.
Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry 2–1S

Experiment 2
QUESTIONS
1. Describe the location where you recorded your measurements. Include observations such as:
a. Is the spot open? Are there buildings, trees, or other objects that could have affected your
measurements?
b. What is the ground cover like—soil, vegetation, asphalt, concrete, or other?
c. Are there any living organisms in the immediate area?
2. Did the measurements of other groups differ from yours? Why?
3. How did your weather observations of the local weather compare with those of the web site?
4. List at least one researchable question for this experiment.
2-2S Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry

Experiment

2
OVERVIEW
In the Preliminary Activity, your students will learn data-collection techniques using
Temperature Probes, Relative Humidity Sensors, and UVB Sensors. A student handout for the
preliminary activity can be found at the end of the experiment.
During the subsequent Inquiry Process, your students will first learn more about weather using
the course textbook, other available books, and the Internet. They will then generate and
investigate researchable questions concerning local weather.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this inquiry experiment, students will
• Identify variables, design and perform the experiment, collect data, analyze data, draw a
conclusion, and formulate a knowledge claim based on evidence from the experiment.
• Evaluate factors that affect weather and climate.
CORRELATIONS
AP Environmental Science Topic Outline Correlation
I. Earth Systems and Resources, B. The Atmosphere (Weather and climate)
IB Environmental Systems Syllabus Correlation
A.1 Measuring Physical Components of the System, 2 Describe and evaluate methods for
measuring at least three abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
THE INQUIRY PROCESS

Suggested time to complete the experiment
See the section in the introduction, Doing Inquiry Experiments, for more information on carrying
out each phase of an inquiry experiment.
Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry 2-1

Experiment 2
I Preliminary Activity 10 minutes

II Generating Researchable Questions 10 minutes
III Planning 15 minutes
40 minutes or more (over
IV Carrying out the Plan
several days)
V Organizing the Data 15 minutes
VI Communicating the Results 30 minutes
VII Conclusion 15 minutes
MATERIALS
Make the following materials available for student use. Items in bold are needed for the
preliminary activity.
data-collection interface ring stand and utility clamp

data-collection program Internet access
Vernier Temperature Probe Vernier Barometer (optional)
Vernier Relative Humidity Sensor anemometer (optional)
Vernier UVB Sensor others as requested by students
I Preliminary Activity
This inquiry experiment begins with an activity that introduces the collection of temperature,
relative humidity, and UV data. When auto-ID sensors are used, sensor readings are displayed
once the Vernier data-collection program is started. If you are using non-auto-ID sensors, you
will need to show your students how to set up the data-collection program to collect data.
Sample Results
Sensor Measurement
Temperature 24.8°C
Relative Humidity 48.3%

2
UVB 287.2 mW/m
Answers to the Questions

1. Answers will vary.
4. Answers will vary. See the Researchable Questions list below for some possible answers.
2-2 Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry

II Generating Researchable Questions

See page xiii in the Doing Inquiry Experiments section for a list of suggestions for generating
researchable questions. Some possible researchable questions for this experiment are:
• How does elevation affect air temperature?
• How does elevation affect relative humidity?
• How does temperature affect relative humidity?
• How would weather measurements made in an open area compare to those made in a
nearby wooded area?
• How would measurements made in an open area (wooded area) compare with those posted
on an Internet site for the locality?
• How would weather measurements made within a city compare to those made in the nearby
countryside?
• How would measurements made in a city (countryside) compare with those posted on an
Internet site for the locality?
• How would weather measurements made on an athletic field compare to those made in a
nearby parking lot?
• How does proximity to a large body of water affect weather?
There are many, many more possible researchable questions. Students should choose a
researchable question that addresses the learning outcomes of your specific standards.
III Planning
During this phase students formulate a hypothesis, determine the experimental design and setup,
and write a method they will use to collect data. Circulate among the student groups asking
questions and making helpful suggestions.
IV Carrying out the Plan

During this phase, students use their plan to carry out the experiment and collect data. Circulate
among the student groups asking questions and making helpful suggestions.
V Organizing the Data

See page xiv in the Doing Inquiry Experiments section for suggestions concerning how students
can organize their data for their inquiry presentations.
VI Communicating the Results

See page xv in the Doing Inquiry Experiments section for a list of inquiry-presentation strategies.
VII Conclusion
See page xv in the Doing Inquiry Experiments section for a list of suggestions concerning
assessment and ways to utilize the results in subsequent instruction.

Experiment 2
SAMPLE RESULTS
Student results will vary depending on experimental design.
Figure 1 The effect of elevation on air temperature
This investigation addresses the question, “How does elevation affect air temperature?” The
temperatures measured at an elevation of 797 m were lower than those measured in a nearby
valley with an elevation of 112 m.
Figure 2 The effect of elevation on relative humidity

This investigation addresses the question, “How does elevation affect relative humidity?” The
relative humidity values measured at an elevation of 797 m were higher than those measured in a
nearby valley with an elevation of 112 m.

Figure 3 The effect of temperature on relative humidity
This investigation addresses the question, “How does temperature affect relative humidity?” As
temperature increased, relative humidity decreased.
The Deutscher Wetterdienst is the data source of the information shown in Figures 1–3.
TIPS
Experiment Information
1. Many variations of this experiment are possible. Your students may design either short-term
or long-term studies. Researchable questions may or may not utilize a web site that gives the
local weather for your area. Note: This experiment presents a good opportunity for your
students to conduct a long-term study and to analyze a real data set as described in the
Laboratory and Field Investigation section of the booklet entitled AP Environmental Science
Course Description.
2. The data-collection part of the Preliminary Activity should be done outdoors.
3. The Preliminary Activity suggests the use of three Vernier sensors: Temperature Probes,
Relative Humidity Sensors, and UVB Sensors. Since Internet weather sites such as
weather.com, accuweather.com, Yahoo Weather, and others also commonly provide current
wind speed, wind direction, and pressure information, you could also use anemometers and
Vernier Barometers in this experiment, if you have them available.
4. There are several methods your students can use for collecting data outside the classroom.
• Use a Vernier LabQuest.
• Use a laptop computer with a battery-powered Vernier interface.
• Use a TI graphing calculator with a battery-powered Vernier interface (along with a
calculator cradle and a link cable.)
• Use a Palm® handheld with a battery-powered Vernier interface (along with a cradle and a
link cable.)
• Use a TI 84 Plus graphing calculator and an EasyLink. You will only be able to collect data
from one sensor at a time.

Experiment 2
• Use a Vernier LabPro as a remote, stand-alone unit. This method has students take a
battery-powered Vernier interface outdoors without a computer, make measurements while
outdoors, then return to computer in the classroom to download data. See Appendix D for
more information.
5. Graphs can be copied and pasted into a Microsoft Word document. If your students collect
data on a TI graphing calculator, have them import the data to Logger Pro or do a screen
capture using TI Connect. If you students collect data on LabQuest or a Palm® handheld,
have them import the data in to Logger Pro.
Sensor Information
1. Since the Vernier UV sensors allow the separate measurement of UVA and UVB irradiance,
instead of an erythemally (or sunburning) weighted average, the individual readings of the
Vernier sensors cannot strictly be converted to UV Index units. The erythemal action
spectrum is predominately UVB, however, so an estimate of the UV index can be calculated
by multiplying the UVB sensor reading by a factor of 0.004 index-m2/mW—but this is only
an estimate. The UVA sensor readings cannot be used to estimate UV index values.
2. The calibrations loaded with auto-ID Temperature Probes, auto-ID Relative Humidity
Sensors, and auto-ID UVB Sensors are ideal for this experiment.
Sensor Check
To tell if your Temperature Probe is working correctly, hold the tip of the sensor in your hand
and check for the temperature readings to change.
To tell if your UV Sensor is working correctly, take readings outdoors in the sunlight with and
without a barrier, such as a sunglasses lens. Confirm that the readings are in the normal range for
your area.
To tell if your Relative Humidity Sensor is working correctly, try the following.
1. Start the data-collection program. Check the readings on the default screen. Move the sensor
to two places (one can be a container with a small amount of calcium chloride for low
humidity; the other can be a container with a small amount of warm water for higher
humidity).
2. Confirm that the relative humidity readings change in a logical manner.

Preliminary Activity For A Local Weather Study: Experiment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Preliminary Activity For A Local Weather Study: Experiment

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Preliminary Activity For A Local Weather Study: Experiment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Experiment

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY FOR

3. Note and record the displayed values.

6. Note and record the displayed reading.

Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry 2–1S

4. List at least one researchable question for this experiment.

2-2S Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry

A Local Weather Study

THE INQUIRY PROCESS

Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry 2-1

I Preliminary Activity 10 minutes

data-collection interface ring stand and utility clamp

Relative Humidity 48.3%

Answers to the Questions

2. Answers will vary.

3. Answers will vary.

2-2 Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry

II Generating Researchable Questions

IV Carrying out the Plan

V Organizing the Data

VI Communicating the Results

Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry 2-3

Figure 1 The effect of elevation on air temperature

Figure 2 The effect of elevation on relative humidity

2-4 Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry

Figure 3 The effect of temperature on relative humidity

2. The data-collection part of the Preliminary Activity should be done outdoors.

Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry 2-5

2. Confirm that the relative humidity readings change in a logical manner.

2-6 Investigating Environmental Science through Inquiry

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.