Heating in the microwave

Heating in the microwave

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
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Further Resources
This task is about interpreting data from tables.
Sarai wanted to find out if there were differences in the temperature of a cup of water when it was heated in the microwave at different power settings. She tested each power setting by heating 100 mLs of water for 30 seconds. Here are her results.
 
Power setting
on microwave
 Temperature of 100 mL water
Before heating
After heating
Temperature change
High (100%) 11°C 41°C 30°C
Reheat (70%) 11°C 32°C 21°C
Medium (40%) 11°C 25°C 14°C
Low (20%) 11°C 20°C  9°C

Question

a)  What power setting would you use if you wanted to heat your hot chocolate drink the quickest?  

    • High

    • Reheat

    • Medium

    • Low

Question 1Change answer

b)  If you put 100 mLs of water at 11°C in the microwave at a new power setting of 50%,
     what would you expect the temperature of the water to be after 30 seconds?  °C

Question 1Change answer

c) What are two parts of this experiment that Sarai kept the same?
    1.   
    2.   

Question 1Change answer

d) Karaka tried heating different amounts of water in the microwave for 30 seconds.
     Here are his results.  
Amount of water (mL) Temperature increase
100 30°C
150 21°C
200 13°C
250 11°C
300  7°C
      Write a rule to explain the pattern these results show.   
      
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with NO auto-marking).
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physical inquiry, energy, heat, temperature, data interpretation
Description of task: 
Task: Interpret data from tables. Assessment focus: data interpretation.
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 reading a table.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
    Y8 (11/1998)
a) High or 100% easy
b) 27°C – 30°C inclusive. moderate
c) Any 2 of:

  • Same initial temperature of water.
  • Warmed in microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Same amount of water used (100 mLs).
  • Same location/equipment.

[Note: do not accept "before heating" only.]

 2 correct – easy

1 correct – easy
d) The greater the amount of water the lower the temperature increase (or reverse statement). moderate