Estimating temperature

Estimating temperature

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about estimating and measuring temperature.
   
 
a)
Take your body temperature by placing a thermometer under your arm for two minutes. Write down your body temperature in the space below.
 
My body temperature is __________°C
 
b)
Feel the temperature of the water in each of the 3 containers.
Wait at least 1 minute between trying each container.
 
  i)
Estimate the temperature of the water in each container.
Write your estimate in the table.
 
 

Estimated Temperature

Actual Temperature

Container 1

 
 
 
 
 

Container 2

 
 
 
 
 

Container 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ii)
 
Which temperature is closest to your body temperature?   
 
Container ________
 
c)
Use the thermometer to measure the actual temperature of the water in each container.
Write these temperatures in the table.
Task administration: 
Equipment:
Thermometer; three labelled containers (1, 2, and 3) of water at various temperatures.
  • Students will need to have had prior experience of estimating temperatures before carrying out this activity.
  • Before beginning this activity set up and label three containers of water and record their temperatures:
  • Container 1 – hot water (50-55°C)
  • Container 2 – cold water (15-25°C)
  • Container 3 – warm water (30-40°C)
  • The temperature of the water in Container 3 should be closest to body temperature.
  • You may like to have a thermos of hot water to top up Container 1 in order to keep its temperature around 50-55°C.
  • Students should wait at least 1 minute after feeling the temperature of the water in each container as they may under- or over-estimate temperatures depending on what they have tried previously.
Level:
3
Description of task: 
In this practical task, students estimate and then measure temperatures.
Curriculum Links: 
This resource can help to identify students' understanding of estimating and measuring temperature and reading a thermometer (scale).
Answers/responses: 

 

 

1 mark

a)

 

Accept any temperature between 30° and 38°.
[NOTE: Layers of clothing and the temperature on the day may alter readings].

2 marks (for all 3 correct)
or
1 mark (for 2 correct)

1 mark

b)

i)

ii)

Estimates are ± 5° C of actual temperature.

3

2 marks (for all 3 correct)
or
1 mark (for 2 correct)

c)

 

Measurements are taken and recorded accurately:

Temperatures are within 2°C of teacher's reading. [Time delays in checking students' recorded temperatures could cause variation in answers due to heat gain/loss of water in containers].

1 mark

b)-
c)

   

Temperature unit of °C recorded at least once.