Basic Experiment with the Temperature Sensor - Multilab CE basic features

Introduction

In this basic experiment we will record the temperature changes while we dip a temperature sensor in cups containing hot and cold water.

The following Multilab CE features/Function will be presented in this basic experiment:

  1. Runner and Stop icons
  2. How to read data from the graph
  3. Table view
  4. Setup menu
  5. Save a file to flash drive
  6. Meter view
  7. Zoom function
  8. Statistics menu
  9. Export data to PlanMaker.

Equipment

  • Nova5000
  • Temperature sensor
  • Cup with ice water
  • Cup with hot water

Equipment Setup Procedure

  1. Plug the temperature sensor into the port labeled I/O-1. The arrow on the plug of the Temperature probe should be facing down. As you look at the Nova, it is the port on the right. If the probe is not plugged into port 1, the Nova will not recognize it.

  1. Launch MultilabCE from

Start > Programs > Science & Math > MultiLab. MultiLab may also be an icon on your desktop.

  1. With the sensor connected and MultiLab launched, simply click Run on the main toolbar to begin collecting data.
  1. MultiLab uses default values for the sample rate (10/s) and sample size (500). The logger will run for 50 seconds using the default settings.
  1. As soon as you click Run, you will see a graph of Temperature vs. Time. Dip the temperature sensor slowly in the hot and ice water.
  1. Watch the temperature change on the graph. In the graph below, the Temperature sensor is being heated (the temperature is rising) and then cooled (the temperature is declining).

  1. Click Stopto end the experiment. You may allow the experiment to automatically stop at 50 seconds, as the default settings (sample rate 10/s and sample size 500) run for 50 seconds.

Analyzing the Data

  1. To read points on the graph, click on the First Cursor on the graphing toolbar below the graph. An arrow will appear on the graph, and the temperature and time (X and Y coordinates) readings for the location of the arrow will appear at the bottom of the screen below the graph. You can also add the first cursor to the graph by clicking on the line of the graph. Drag the First Cursor along the graph to see how the readings change. Click on First Cursora second time to remove the cursor from the graph. Answer the following questions by placing the First Cursoron the graph and dragging the cursor to the desired location. Practice using the Forward Cursorand Back Cursorto assist you in placing the First Cursor at the desired position on the graph.

  1. What was the ambient temperature (before you placed the temperature sensor into the hot water)?
  2. At what time (how many seconds into the activity) did you dip the temperature sensor into the hot water?
  3. What is the hottest temperature reached on the graph?
  4. At what time (how many seconds into the activity) did the temperature reach its highest point?
  5. What is the coldest temperature on the graph?
  6. At what time was the coldest temperature reached?
  1. Using the icon in the lower graphing toolbar, add the Second Cursor to the graph. Now the difference (delta values) between the locations of the cursors will appear at the bottom of the screen below the graph. This feature helps students be able to interpret graphs, a skill that is required on many standardized tests. Move the two cursors around on the graph and answer the following questions. With the addition of the Second Cursor, the Forward Cursorand Back Cursor will help position the Second Cursor to the desired location. Again, practice using these icons.
  2. How many seconds did the temperature sensor remain in the hot water?
  3. How many degrees did the temperature increase while the sensor was in the hot water?
  4. How long did the sensor remain in the cold water?
  5. How many degrees did the temperature drop during this time?
  1. Click on Table View in the upper toolbar. The first column, which has a gray background, in the Table View represents the number of data points. The second column represents Time in seconds and the third column contains Temperature 1/0-1 0C. Note that the data value number and time in seconds is not the same number.
  2. The first data value was recorded at 0 seconds. What was the temperature at 0 seconds?
  3. Use the scroll bar on the right to determine the temperature at 8 seconds.
  4. How many data points had been taken at this 8 second reading? (The background is gray for this data point value).
  5. What was the time in seconds that the 100th data value was recorded?
  6. What was the temperature when the 100th data value was recorded?
  7. How many total data values are recorded?
  8. What was the last recorded temperature?
  9. At what time in seconds was the last temperature recorded?

Setup an experiment using the Setup Dialog

Perform a new experiment, but this time, enter the Setup dialog box to change the settings.

  1. After you launch MultiLab (StartProgramsScience & MathMultiLab), click the Setup icon located on the upper toolbar. The following screen appears. Notice that the Temperature sensor is automatically identified.
  1. Click the Rate tab and use the drop down arrow to manually change the rate to Every Second. Click the Samples tab use the drop down arrow to choose 200 samples. Note that the logger will run for 3:20 MM:SS. Click OK to accept these settings. Click Run in the upper toolbar. You will be prompted to save your data, as you have changed the rate setting. To save your file:
  2. Click Yes
  3. Type a name for your file (Test1, for example)
  4. Navigate to your flash drive by clicking on the up arrow four times (The up arrow is to the right of “Save as”)
  5. Double click on removable disk
  6. Click OK
  7. Since you have already clicked on Run, data will be recorded on the graph immediately.
  8. Dip the temperature sensor slowly in the hot and cold water as youclick on Table View in the upper toolbar to see the data being added to the table.
  9. Click on Meter Viewin the upper toolbar.
  10. In the graphing toolbar located below the graph, click onAnalog View,Bar View, and Digital View. Color View indicates the color of the line being plotted. The icon shows all four meter views simultaneously.
  1. To end data collection, click on LoggerStop in the upper tool bar or simply click Stopin the upper tool bar.
  2. Click Saveandgive the file a name (Test2, for example). Tap the green Up Arrow at the top of the dialog box to navigate to your Removable Disk. Double click Removable Disk and click OK.

Analyzing the Data

  1. Zoom Function

The zoom function enables us to zoom in on a section of the plotted data to explore the results more closely. This function is used when studying the sound waves produced from a tuning fork.

Click Zoom on the lower graphing toolbar and drag the cursor over the area that will be zoomed. When you drag the cursor, you must begin above and to the left of the area you wish to enlarge. Notice where the drag box begins in the example below.

As seen in the next example, the graph will immediately zoom in and the y-axis scale will be smaller.

Click AutoScale in the graphing tool to return to your original graph.

  1. Statistic Function

Go to the Tools drop down menu at the top of the screen and select Analysis Statistics. You will see the statistics for this graph. After viewing the Statistics, click OK. When two cursors are added to the line, Statistics between the two points on the line are given.

3. Exporting Data to PlanMaker

The collected data can be exported to PlanMaker (PM), i.e. display the data in a different format.

Click Exportto PlanMaker in the lower toolbar. You must name your file. This will launch PlanMaker. When prompted to separate the values in PM, select the Comma option.

To create a graph in PlanMaker:

  • Highlight A & B at the top of the Time/Temperature columns to select all data in the table
  • Click ObjectNew Chart Frame
  • Click in the area to the right of the data table
  • Choose XY scatter
  • Choose the subtype on the upper right hand side
  • Click OK
  • To label the graph’s axes and add a graph title
  • Click ObjectPropertiesContent
  • Type your chart title
  • Under Primary Axes, type a label for the X and for the Y axes
  • Click OK
  • Click Saveto save the changes you made to your file.

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