1. Science and Data Acquisition with Vernier Probeware
Measuring Temperature – Level 1

2. What You’ll Learn… Stuff You’ll Need…
How to use Vernier temperature sensors
How to use the Vernier LabQuest interface
How to use Vernier Logger Pro software to record and analyze scientific data
How to conduct experiments using the scientific method
How experimental variables affect temperature
Stuff You’ll Need…
Vernier temperature probe
Beaker for water
Vernier LabQuest interface
Computer with Logger Pro software
Vernier, LabQuest and Logger Pro are all registered trademarks of Vernier Software and Technology

3. Research/Questions Where does the word ‘thermometer” come from?
Who invented the earliest temperature sensors?
What is a Thermoreceptor?
What does a Thermoreceptor regulate?
Where are Thermoreceptors located?
What software do you use to record your data?

4. What You Should Know… Who cares about temperature? …EVERYBODY!!!!
Hardly a day goes by when we don’t measure temperature one way or another. We measure temperature with sensors called thermometers. The name comes from the Greek words thermo, meaning temperature and meter, meaning measure.

5. What You Should Know…
Since measuring temperature is so important, scientists and inventors have developed many types of temperature sensors.
You probably know that most substances expand when they get hot and contract when they get cold. Inventors began exploring ways to measure this effect as early as the 11th century. One of the earliest temperature sensors to use this principal was invented by Galileo in the 16th century.
This is the same principle that is used in the mercury and alcohol thermometers that are still in common use.
Galileo Thermometer
Mercury Thermometer

6. What You Should Know…
Modern technology has brought us many, many new ways to measure temperature. We can now measure temperature using electronic sensors, infrared scanners and liquid crystals just to name a few.
The type of sensor you’ll be using for the activities in this Learning Launcher is called a thermistor. Thermistors were invented by Samuel Ruben in A thermistor uses electrical resistance to measure temperature. Thermistors are most commonly used in the digital thermistat you may use to control temperature in your home.
Thermistor
Vernier Thermistor-based Temperature Probes
There’s still one very important type of temperature sensor we haven’t discussed yet. One that you use every single day. Can you guess what it is? Flip to the next slide to find out…

7. What You Should Know… …YOU!!!
Or, more specifically, a special type of nerve cell called a thermoreceptor. In mammals such as humans, thermoreceptors are concentrated in the skin. But there are also thermoreceptors that regulate your internal systems. One type of thermoreceptor responds to cold and another responds to heat. Together, they’re what make you sweat when you’re hot and seek shelter or grab a sweater when you’re cold. And they trigger emergency sensory alarms when you come in contact with extreme hot or cold temperatures!
Can you imagine trying to survive without these sensitive temperature sensors providing your body with a constant stream of data?

8. What You Should Know… The Scientific Method
You’ve studied the scientific method before in your Science classes. But, before we start to use our Vernier probeware to collect data, let’s review it one more time:
1.  State the question you intend to answer through your research and experimentation.
2.  Form a hypothesis – a prediction of what you think you’ll find.
-If/Then format
3.  Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment or study.
4.  Analyze your results.
5.  Draw a conclusion and report your findings.
Be sure to capture all of these steps in your Word Document

9. What You Should Know…
Now let’s explore the Logger Pro software. It’s what you’ll use to record and analyze your experimental data.
Launch Logger Pro software. Then under the File menu, click Open and select the Tutorials folder. Click on Tutorial 1 – Getting Started and follow along with the tutorial.
This tutorial will teach you how to use the Logger Pro software.

10. What You Should Know…
The activities in this Learning Launcher use the Vernier temperature probe, the LabQuest interface and Logger Pro software on your computer.
Temperature Probe
LabQuest Interface

11. What You Should Know…
Now let’s explore the Logger Pro software. It’s what you’ll use to record and analyze your experimental data. Look in the “All Applications” folder for Logger Pro.
Launch Logger Pro software.
Then under the File menu,
click Open and select the
Middle School with Vernier folder.
Click on “01 Hot Hand”.
Ensure the temperature is in
Celsius.

12. Do It!
As you plan your activity and conduct your experiment, you may come up with interesting questions or ideas to explore about temperature.
That’s great!
After you’ve concluded the experiment, you may create your own experiment. Be sure you follow the steps of the Scientific Method!
State your Question
Formulate a Hypothesis (If/Then format)
Design your experiment
Observe and Collect Data
Analyze Data
State your conclusion

13. A Hot Hand Steps
Connect the Temperature Probe and start the Logger Pro software (slide 10).
Be sure to connect the probe into the correct slot on the interface.
Click the to begin data collection

14. A Hot Hand Steps
Pick up the temperature probe and hold the tip in the palm of your hand as shown.
Data collection will end when 60 seconds has gone by.

15. A Hot Hand Steps Record your maximum temperature
Click the statistics button. The statistics box will appear on the graph, displaying several statistical values for the data, including the minimum and maximum temperatures recorded during the collection period.

16. Maximum Temperature °C
A Hot Hand Steps
Create a data table in your Word document
Student’s Name
Maximum Temperature °C
Average Temperature

17. A Hot Hand Steps Prepare the Temperature Probe for the next run.
Cool the probe by placing it into a beaker of room-temperature water until the prove reached the temperature of the water.
Use a paper towel to dry the probe, be careful not to warm the probe while drying.

18. A Hot Hand Steps Repeat slides 12-16 for you and your partner.
Be sure to ask two other classmates to fill out your data sheet

19. Processing the Data
Answer the following questions in your Word document
Describe how the maximum temperatures of the people you tested differed.
Who had the hottest hand?
Describe why you think people have different hand temperatures.