Students will design and carry out an experiment to compare the rates of heat absorption and of heat release of both soil and water. They will observe how these differing rates of heat absorption and release affect the air above the soil and above the water
Note to the teacher: Students might want to and should be encouraged to place their thermometers in different places.
The sun's energy that is absorbed by Earth is spread throughout the atmosphere in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction is the direct transfer of heat energy from one substance to another. As air above the earth's surface comes in contact with the warm ground, the air is warmed. Soil, water and air are poor heat conductors. Convection is the transfer of heat in a fluid. Air is a fluid. When air near the earth's surface is heated, it becomes less dense and rises. Cooler, more dense air from above sinks. Radiation is the transfer of heat energy in the form of waves. When the sun's energy moves by radiation, it does not need the presence of a solid, liquid, or gas.
This experiment can be done as an inquiry activity or with more teacher direction. The student sheet is set up as an inquiry, the procedures listed below can be copied into the procedures if you wish.
Directions:
Scoring Guide:
1. Students design experiment and record procedures……………..20 pts.
2. Students conduct experiments and record data…………………..20 pts.
3. Students graph results…………………………………………………5 pts
4. Students correctly answer questions…………………………………5 pts
5. Student writes thoughtful conclusion…………………………………5 pts
Answers to Questions:
Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.