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Educator Resources
Temperature... It's Everywhere
Equipment Set-up Data
    Collection
    Procedure		 Data
    Analysis		 Data
    Table		 Conclusions and
    Extensions

 
Purpose:
 
In this experiment, we will use the Temperature Sensor to measure temperature at different locations, thus reinforcing our understanding of how location can affect temperature. We will then investigate the differences in temperature between direct sunlight and shade of the rainforest canopy, as well as the temperature difference between a dry surface and a wet surface.
 
Background Information:
Because it is a tropical country, located between two oceans and with a complex topography, Costa Rica is a country of varied weather conditions.
 
Throughout the year there are no great temperature variations between the rain (green season) and dry summer seasons. The average temperature only varies approximately 10 degrees from one season to the other. The most important annual variation is that of the precipitation level, which is mainly due to the interaction of the different wind systems that affect the country's topography. Even though Costa Rica is in the Northern Hemisphere it has similar weather to South America. Summer starts in December and lasts until March. The rainy season lasts from May until August.
 
Temperature variations here are more defined by altitude. In those regions located between sea level and 3000 feet, temperatures will range from 80 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In regions located from 3000 feet to over 8,000 feet, the temperature varies between 55 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and those regions located higher than 8000 feet endure temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Equipment:
 
  • PASPORT Temperature Sensor


  • PASPORT Xplorer Datalogger

    •  
    		 Equipment Set-Up:
     
    Power on the Xplorer Datalogger.
    Connect the Temperature Sensor to the Xplorer Datalogger.
    Data Collection Procedure:
     
    1. We'll record data in 6 different categories:
        a) Against a surface that is exposed to direct sunlight
        b) In the air with direct sunlight
        c) Against a surface that is in dark shadow
        d) In the air with a dark shadow
        e) In the water of a shallow pond
        f) Against the surface of the bare ground next to the pond water
     
    2. Wait approximately 30 seconds, then press ( ) to begin collecting data. View the results on the Xplorer Datalogger.
     
    3. Press ( ) again to stop collecting data
     
    4. Repeat steps 2-4 for the other depths and locations.
     
    Data Analysis:
     
    1. Connect the Xplorer Datalogger to the computer's USB port using the USB cable.
     
    2. DataStudio automatically opens. Download the data from Xplorer to the computer.
     

     
    3. Click the Retrieve Now ( ) button.
     
    4. Examine each run of data in the Graph display to determine the relationship between temperature and the 6 different location categories.
     
    5. Enter annotations noting the various locations you took data.
     
    a) Click the Annotate button ( ), and enter your text.
     
    6. Record the results in the Data Table below.
     
    Data Table:
     
    Location/Condition Minimum Temp (°C) Maximum Temp (°C) MeanTemp (°C)
    1. Surface / direct sun      
    2. Air / direct sun      
    3. Surface / Dark shade      
    4. Air / Dark shade      
    5. Water at 1 cm depth      
    6. Soil at 1 cm depth      

     
    Conclusions and Extensions:
     
    What was the greatest change in temperature recorded during the course of the experiment?
    What major factors contributed to this temperature variation?
    What surprises, if any, did you observe in measuring temperature at different locations (i.e. observed less temperature variation than expected)?
    What environmental factors may have contributed to greater stability in temperature?
    Which plants and animals in the rainforest environment might be most susceptible to temperature variation, and which are likely to be less susceptible? (Keep in mind that at different points in their life cycles organisms may be more tolerant of environmental variations than at other times.)
     
    This experiment is brought to you courtesy of PASCO. 

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