Lab #_____ : Temperature Analysis
Purpose: An energy source is a region of high energy potential which energy
flows from, while a sink is a region of low energy potential which energy flows
towards. When observing energy in the form of temperature we draw isotherms
to identify changes in the energy.
Problem: How do we draw isotherms and why are they useful?
Procedures:
1. Construct isotherms using an interval of 1ºC on the classroom map and an
interval of 10ºF on the campfire map.
2. Locate and label an energy source and energy sink.
3. Draw an arrow to show the direction energy flows between the source and
the sink.
Vocabulary
Isotherm – Energy Source - Energy Sink – Gradient - Field Value - Change in Field
Value - Distance
Questions:
1. Will the temperature field you measured and mapped have the same appearance
tomorrow? Explain
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2. Between which two letters on the campfire map is the temperature change the
greatest?_______________________
3. Between which two letters on the campfire map is the temperature change the
least?__________________________
4. Compare the data with reference to the classroom map between points A – B
and C – D, write a relationship to describe the change in gradient as the distance
between the isotherms increase or decrease.
_____________________________________________________________
5. What factors may have caused the temperature variations in the
classroom?_____________________________________________________
6. Describe the change that takes place as you walk further away from the
campfire. ______________________________________________________
7. Draw a line on the campfire map 4 cm long, (1 cm = 10 feet) across an area that
you infer would have a high gradient, label this line Q R.
8. Draw a line on the campfire map 4 cm long, (1cm = 10 feet) across an area that
you infer would have a low gradient, label this line X Y.
Calculate the gradient for lines :
QR:
9
XY:
11
Answer question 10 here:
9.
10.
11.