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Calibrating Thermometers Investigation III

Testing different temperatures with your thermometer and temperature probe

Create a spreadsheet to record your data and data of other groups. Refer to Technical Hints to see how to create a spreadsheet.

Obtain a Styrofoam cup of warm water from your teacher. The water will lose heat, so it is important to quickly take the temperature of your water with the your thermometer and temperature probe. It is suggested to test for a 1 minute period of time to allow the temperature probe to adjust to the temperature. Record the values on a spreadsheet.

Since every group in the class received a cup of water at the same temperature, ask another group for their readings. Record their values on the spreadsheet.

Repeat the process for two more trials at different temperatures. Record your results and that of another group on your spreadsheet. Find an average temperature value for the 1 minute period. Refer to Technical Hints to see how to find an average. Create a bar chart of all of the temperatures. Refer to Technical Hints to see how to create a bar chart. How did your readings compare to that of the other group?

Answer questions 3-6 in "Analysis".

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