Using thermometers, cotton balls, string and water, students make simple psychrometers—a tool that measures humidity. They learn the difference between relative humidity (the ratio of water vapor content to water vapor carrying capacity) and dew point (the temperature at which dew forms). Teams collect data using their homemade psychrometers and then calculate relative humidity inside and outside, comparing their results to an off-the-shelf psychrometer (if available). A lab worksheet is provided for data collection and calculation. As a real-world connection, students learn that humidity and air density is taken into consideration by engineers for many design projects. To conclude, they answer and discuss analysis and application questions.
- Subject:
- Algebra
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
- Statistics and Probability
- Material Type:
- Activity/Lab
- Provider:
- TeachEngineering
- Provider Set:
- Activities
- Author:
- Ashley Martin
- Dale Gaddis
- Hannah Brooks
- Lazar Trifunovic
- Michael A. Soltys
- Shay Marceau
- Date Added:
- 11/29/2017
