Heating Earth’s Surface Lab QuestionsName:

Type your answers into this document (which can be found on the class blog)

Hypothesis:

What will heat up faster, sand or water? Why? (1 point)

Create a line graph using the data table provided to you. Staple this graph to the back of this paper.

  • Use graph paper. (1 point)
  • Make sure to put the independent variable (time) on the x-axis and the dependent variable (temperature) on the y-axis. (2 points)
  • Include a title for the graph. (1 point)
  • Include labels on the axis with what is being measured and the units it is being measured in. (2 points)
  • Make sure to draw straight, clean, lines (use a ruler). (1 point)
  • Make the numbers along the axis appear on the lines, not in the spaces between lines. (1 point)
  • Have even spacing between numbers along the axis. (1 point)
  • Use different colors to represent the different materials being heated. (1 point)
  • Your graph needs to be accurate (5 points)
  • Sloppiness can result in anywhere from 1 to 5 points being deducted.

Answer the following questions based on your graph and data:

  1. Which substance had the greatest increase in temperature? By how many degrees did it increase? (2 points)
  1. Which substance had the greatest decrease in temperature? By how many degrees did it decrease? (2 points)
  1. What can you conclude about which material absorbed heat faster? How do these results compare with your hypothesis? (2 points)
  1. Why do you think this type of material heats up faster? (think about the spacing of molecules in the different substances) (2 points)
  1. What can you conclude about which material cooled down faster? How do these results compare with your hypothesis? (2 points)
  1. What can you conclude about which material held on to its energy longer? (1 point)
  1. Based on your data analysis, which do you think will heat up more quickly on a sunny day: the water in a lake or the sand surrounding it? (1 point)
  1. Based on your results, which do you think will cool off more quickly at night: the water in a lake or the sand surrounding it? (1 point)