Cooling Rates: Shaq vs. Susie
Recommended for grades 5–8.
Introduction
Animals have different ways to keep cool in hot weather. Jackrabbits lose heat through their big ears, dogs pant, and you sweat. Body size affects cooling rate. Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal is the 315-pound, seven-foot, one-inch center for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. Susie Chang is the 78-pound, four-foot, eight-inch point guard for the Milan (Indiana) Middle School Indians. Who do you think cools faster—Shaq or Susie? In this experiment, you will first predict who cools faster. Then you will do an experiment to test your prediction.
Objectives
In this experiment, you will
- Predict which cools faster, a large body or a small one.
- Use Temperature Probes to test your prediction.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Middle School Science with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.