Beneath the surface

Beneath the surface

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about using data to explore temperature in the interior of the Earth.
The table below gives the temperatures recorded at different depths (as a change from the surface temperature) in a section of the Earth's crust.
 
Depth (km) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Temperature (°C) 0 20 45 70 95 120 ? 170 195
 
a)
Plot this data as a line graph.
 
Temperature change with depth in the Earth's crust
 
temperature-grid.png
Depth (km)
 
b)
From the graph, what is the temperature at a depth of 6 km? _______ °C
 
c)
An underground coal mine is being developed in this area. If the miners could work in temperatures of 30°C or less, what is the maximum depth this coal mine could be?
 
__________ km
 
d)
Calculate the average temperature change for each kilometer change in depth. _______ °C 
 
e)
Write a sentence explaining how the relationship between temperature and depth changes as the depth increases.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
Earth systems, Earth, Earth's interior, graph construction, graph interpretation
Description of task: 
This resource requires students to construct a graph on data for temperature and depth below the Earth's crust. Students then answer four questions about this.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss:
  • noticing patterns in data shown in a graph.
  • the relative benefits of using tables or graphs to convey the same set of data.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y10 (05/2003)
a)

Both x and y axes have scales.
All points correctly plotted (including 0,0).
Line graph drawn, (a gap between 6 and 7 can be present).

very easy
moderate
very easy
b) 145°C (±3°C) (or as calculated from their graph). very easy
c) 1.2-1.6 km (or from their graph). easy
d) For each 1 km the change is 24.375°C or 24°C or . very difficult
e) As the depth increases the temperature increases. easy

 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error
a) The most common point not to be plotted was (0,0).
b) 63% of the students gave the answer 25°C. This could probably be acceptable for students without calculators.