Microclimate Lab

Title, Purpose, Materials list, Procedures (as usual)

Data – in table format. Include dates, general weather (clear skys, partly cloudy, etc.), time of day, temp at each location, wet bulb temp, relative humidity)

Results – Show one example of how relative humidity is calculated from the data you collected, tell which areas tended to have higher temps and what trends you saw for the relationship between humidity and temp. Include a map of the AHS campus that shows where you collected your data. Analyze your maps, graphs and data to find patterns. Which surfaces had the most pronounced microclimates?

Analysis – Answer these questions (number them):

  1. Define Microclimate AND Urban Heat Island.
  2. How does reflection of light affect temperature?
  3. How does absorption of light affect temperature?
  4. What happens to an object when it absorbs light energy?
  5. Will light-colored or dark-colored objects absorb more light energy?
  6. What is albedo? Why are climate scientists concerned about it?
  7. What effect would removing the forest have on the microclimate of an area?
  8. Would the loss of the forested area affect the climate of the larger area around it? Explain your answer.

Microclimate Lab

Title, Purpose, Materials list, Procedures (as usual)

Data – in table format. Include dates, general weather (clear skys, partly cloudy, etc.), time of day, temp at each location, wet bulb temp, relative humidity)

Results – Show one example of how relative humidity is calculated from the data you collected, tell which areas tended to have higher temps and what trends you saw for the relationship between humidity and temp. Include a map of the AHS campus that shows where you collected your data. Analyze your maps, graphs and data to find patterns. Which surfaces had the most pronounced microclimates?

Analysis – Answer these questions (number them):

  1. Define Microclimate AND Urban Heat Island.
  2. How does reflection of light affect temperature?
  3. How does absorption of light affect temperature?
  4. What happens to an object when it absorbs light energy?
  5. Will light-colored or dark-colored objects absorb more light energy?
  6. What is albedo? Why are climate scientists concerned about it?
  7. What effect would removing the forest have on the microclimate of an area?
  8. Would the loss of the forested area affect the climate of the larger area around it? Explain your answer.