LAB: Understanding Temperature Variations Around the World

LAB: Understanding Temperature Variations Around the World

QUESTION: Do temperatures remain constant or vary in different parts of the world?

HYPOTHESIS: (Write your hypothesis based on your response to the question posed above. Include the reasoning behind your thoughts.)

Let’s look at some data….

PART I: PLOTTING OUR DATA LOCATIONS

Using the “Temperatures Around the World Latitude and Longitude Data” worksheet and the world map, plot the remaining 8 locations on the map.

I have plotted location #9 (Chalatenango, El Salvador) as an example for you to follow.

PART I ANALYSIS: Observe your completed map and answer the following questions:

Which locations do you think will have the warmest average temperatures?

Why?

Which locations do you think will have the coolest average temperatures?

Why?

Which locations do you think will receive the shortest amount of sunlight throughout the year?

Why?

Which locations do you think will receive the longest amount of sunlight throughout the year?

Why?

PART II: GRAPHING TEMPERATURES AROUND THE WORLD

Using the “Temperatures Around the World” worksheets, you will create a graph to illustrate the variations in temperature around the world throughout the year.

Begin with Escuela, Antarctica and plot the average temperature (Avg Temp) for each month listed for that location. Be sure to pay close attention to the months listed. Some locations do not show data for each month.

Label your completed plot line, including the location (Antarctica) and the latitude (70*S). You may want to use coloring pencils to differentiate between the different locations on your graph. Next, plot the other locations.

I have plotted the Chalatenango, El Salvador data for you as an example for you to follow.

PART II ANALYSIS: Observe your completed graph and answer the following questions:

Which locations recorded the warmest average temperatures?

Why?

Which locations recorded the coolest average temperatures?

Why?

PART III: GRAPHING HOURS OF DAYLIGHT AROUND THE WORLD

Using the “Days and Nights Around the World” worksheets, you will create a second graph to illustrate the variations in daylight around the world throughout the year.

Begin with Latitude 70* North (ALASKA, USA) and plot the hours of daylight (Day Length) for each month listed for that location.

Label your completed plot line, including the location (ALASKA) and the latitude (70*N). You may want to use coloring pencils to differentiate between the different locations on your graph. Next, plot the other locations.

I have plotted the Glasgow, SCOTLAND data for you as an example for you to follow.

PART III ANALYSIS: Observe your completed graph and answer the following questions:

Which locations recorded the shortest amount of sunlight throughout the year?

Why?

Which locations recorded the longest amount of sunlight throughout the year?

Why?

CONCLUSION: Summarize your findings by comparing the locations plotted in PART I with the hours of daylight plotted in PART III and the resulting temperature variations plotted in PART II. Your summary statement should re-address your original hypothesis and observations made based on the following variables: geographic location, hours of daylight, and seasonal fluctuations in temperature. Record your summary statement on a separate sheet of paper.

PART I: Plotting Our Data Locations

Activity adapted from: Gould, Alan, et.al. The Real Reasons for the Seasons: Sun-Earth

Connections, LHS GEMS (Lawrence Hall of Science/Great Explorations in Math & Science; University of California. 2004.

PART I: Plotting Our Data Locations

Activity adapted from: Gould, Alan, et.al. The Real Reasons for the Seasons: Sun-Earth Connections, LHS GEMS (Lawrence Hall of Science/Great Explorations in Math & Science;