Estimating temperature

Estimating temperature

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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
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Geometry and Measurement, Measurement
Keywords: 
estimation, temperature
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.