Welcome to ETC Educational Technology Connection (HK) Ltd!
datalogging sensors
3100
Data Harvest
Measuring Temperature
The sensor is a thermistor encased in a high quality stainless steel tube. The steel tube has high heat conductivity making it responsive to temperature changes. The stainless steel tube provides a high level of corrosion and chemical resistance making it suitable for use with experiments in chemistry, biology, physics, earth and environmental science
53-second overview
Practical Teaching
The Temperature Sensor is the most popular sensor in the SmartQ range and can be used to investigate a number of scientific experiments such as:
Downloads Temperature Sensor Manual Doc No.: DS023 | Issue: 5
Specification
Food as Fuel (Biology (11-14) eBook)In this investigation varieties of the same class of food are burnt and used to heat water. A simple calculation is provided to convert the energy value of food into an amount of exercise (steps per calorie). Good for illustrating how energy intake and activity link to body mass and weight control.
Food Fuels (Biology (11-14) ebook)In this investigation food is burnt and used to heat water. A simple calculation is provided for transferring the energy value of food into an amount of exercise ratio.
Oxygen Uptake in living organisms. (Biology (11-14) ebook)A good demonstration practical to show that oxygen is consumed by living things. Uses an oxygen sensor to measure change in oxygen levels around an organism
CO2 from respiration. (Biology (11-14) ebook)Demonstration activity to show carbon dioxide production from yeast as a model of respiration. Conditions around the yeast can be changed to show effect of temperature.
Respiring peas (Biology (11-14) ebook)Classic experiment using germinating peas in controlled conditions to measure and show respiration as a living process. Be prepared for the surprise reveal that data logging introduces.
Plant growth (Biology (11-14) ebook)Photosynthesis produces the food for plant growth, If this is true then a plant in good light will show growth. The worksheet outlines a method to measure plant growth as an increase in height over time.
Regulation of Body Temperature (Biology (11-14) ebook)Use temperature sensors to measure the environment and skin temperatures. By changing the conditions around the hand and measuring temperature differences we start to see how the body controls temperature.
Sweating and Cooling (Biology (11-14) ebook)Looks at how water evaporation promotes skin cooling and temperature control.
Huddling (penguins) (Biology (11-14) ebook)Reworking of a classic experiment. Test tubes model penguins huddling for warmth in the long antarctic winter. The logger allows constant monitoring of the heat loss. More thinking about heat loss and survival and less about collecting data and drawing graphs.
Monitoring the environment (Biology (11-14) ebook)Data loggers are an excellent silent witness. Let you imagination flow and set up a 24 hour or longer monitor of an environment. Do birds really sing when it gets light? Is the dead of night really silent? When is the hottest time of day? An outline method and advice for setting up a long term monitor.
Osmosis (Biology (11-14) ebook)A data logging variation of a study into osmosis using visking tubing
Oxygen Uptake (Biology (14-18) eBook)An Oxygen sensor and Temperature sensor are used to observe changing levels of oxygen in a closed chamber containing an animal(s) or a micro-organism.
Measuring CO2 from organisms (Biology (14-18) eBook)A data logging version of the classic lime water demonstration to show that carbon dioxide is produced by living organisms. Uses yeast.
Respiration with germinating peas (Biology (14-18) eBook)Placing peas into thermos flasks to show respiration has been a basic of biology for generations. With datalogging you can reveal a deeper secret to the experiment. Follow the whole process of changes to the peas over time. The experiment also forms a key indicator in the search for extra terrestrial life.
Respiration with yeast (Biology (14-18) eBook)The rate of respiration is temperature dependant. This set up gives a basic method to study the effect of temperature on respiratory activity. Could be used to introduce the advantage of warmblood to an organism
Plant growth (Biology (14-18) eBook)We teach the idea that photosynthesis powers a plants growth and development, but plant growth is too slow for the pace of modern teaching. Using a data logger allows you to monitor changes over the longer time that is required to see any growth.
Regulation of body temperature (Biology (14-18) eBook)This is quite a complex set of experiments; it is about comparing results from many smaller experiments to develop an idea of body heat control. Good for analysis of data.This investigation uses Temperature sensors to compare skin temperature under different environmental conditions.
Sweating (Biology (14-18) eBook)A simple model of the sweating process and how effective the evaporation of water is at cooling. A water soaked cloth will be used to represent the sweaty skin of an animal and a test tube of water will represent the animals body.
Huddling (penguins) (Biology (14-18) eBook)Must be one of the most common practicals in biology! Use data logging to breathe new life into this practical. Models penguins huddling and the link between size and availability of resources to the cell (volume to surface area).
Monitor an environment (Biology (14-18) eBook)Use a data logger to record the changes in a location over an extended time. Choice of sensors is up to the user, obvious sensors to use would be humidity, temperature, light and sound. Study when birds start singing - at dawn or just before, when is it coldest? is it darkest before the dawn?.....
Temperature vs. Infra red (Biology (14-18) eBook)Non contact thermometers are frequently used by medical personnel. This activity shows how the link between temperature and infra red is made. Students can make their own thermometer from the infra red sensor.
Light and photosynthesis (Biology (14-18) eBook)Use a light sensor and a pH sensor to measure changes in photosynthetic activity in pondweed over a time. The pH measures CO2 indirectly as changes in acidity due to changes in dissolved CO2
Photosynthesis and Respiration (Biology (14-18) eBook)Measures changes in Oxygen, CO2 and light around pondweed. Shows that changes in CO2 are linked to changes in light and oxygen, connecting respiration (use of Oxygen, production of CO2) to photosynthesis (use of CO2, production of oxygen) in a single activity.
Diurnal variations In tree trunk (Biology (14-18) eBook)Uses a force, light and temperature sensors to measure the effect of transpiration and photosynthesis on the trunk circumference of a tree in leaf. Excellent for data analysis exercise
Greenhouse Effect - a simple model (Biology (14-18) eBook)A very simple model of the greenhouse effect.
Heat transfer Co Co Flow exchange (Biology (14-18) eBook)Many students find the idea of the counter flow exchange mechanism in biological systems very abstract. This exercise attempts to provide a model that the student can use and investigate counterflow.
Boiling water and pressure (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)How does the pressure over water change its boiling point.
Boiling water and more heat (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)Roaring bunsens make hotter water, or do they? A proof that boiling water cannot be made hotter, a lesson in energy conservation?
Does salt really change the boiling point of water? (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)A common wisdom is that salt raises the boiling point , but by how much? and why? and what does it all mean?
Reaction betwee chemicals from home (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)This investigation shows the reaction of an acid with a carbonate - carbon dioxide gas is released as bubbles. You could use this as an opportunity to show that a characteristic of carbonates is the production of CO2 when reacted with an acid.
Hot and cold reactions (simple calorimetry) (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)A very simple calorimeter can be made by using a polystyrene cup with a lid inside a beaker. The reaction takes place in the water (of the citric acid solution) to make sure all the heat from the reaction is captured. Good practical to introduce data logging in chemistry.
Does mass change in a reaction? (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)This is a very simple experiment to show that mass is maintained when a reaction takes place. Many people are convinced that more can be created than is present at the beginning. Laws of chemistry and physics tell us that you cannot create something from nothing.
Mass loss with marble chips to follow a reaction. (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)Carbonates react with acids to release CO2 gas. In an open system the CO2 is free to disperse creating a mass loss. An electronic balance can record this loss over time. Test surface area and rate of reaction with this practical.
Dissolving salt and sugar (ionic and polar) (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)In this investigation you will do a very simple experiment, take some water and measure its temperature, add some salt and record any temperature changes that take place. A comparison can be made to dissolving sugar; does it behave in the same way? what does it tell us?
Heat of vaporisation of a liquid (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)The heat of vaporisation of a liquid is the energy in joules needed to convert one gram of a liquid into 1 gram of vapour. In this experiment the energy used in converting the liquid to a gas is seen as a drop in temperature. No measurement of the quantity of energy is described, just the relative comparison.
Hydrogen bonding (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)This investigation studies the temperature changes caused by evaporation. The temperature changes are then related back to the structure of the compounds and the intermolecular forces that may be present.
Mass loss with burning (Chemistry (11 -14) eBook)This is an alternative approach to the energy in a fuel experiment. The mass of the burner is recorded as the temperature is recorded. There should be a good match between heat produced and fuel burnt, i.e. the same amount of heat is produced for the same amount of fuel.
Burning fossil fuels (combustion) (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)In this investigation a Humidity, Oxygen and Temperature sensor are used to measure the changes in the air surrounding a burning candle
Comparing fuels (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)In this investigation different fuels are burnt and used to heat water. The collected data is used to find the minimum and maximum temperature. increase in accuracy over standard thermometers and a good introductory activity for data logging.
Displacement reaction (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)Metals can be put into an order of reactivity. A metal higher than another in the reactivity series can displace a metal below it from a solution of its salt. Measures temperature change s an indicator of the displacement reaction.
Hot and cold reactions (exo-, endothermic reactions) (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)A very simple calorimeter can be made using a polystyrene cup with a lid inside a beaker. The reaction being studied takes place in the solution contained within the cup. Recording the data electronically allows the highest temperature to be captured giving an increase in accuracy.
Calorimetry an exothermic study. (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)Magnesium and hydrochloric acid are suggested for this practical to measure the energy changes in an exothermic reaction. Electronic collection of data and low thermal mass of temperature sensor give an increase in accuracy.
Calorimetry an endothermic study. (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)Citric acid and bicarbonate are used to study a reaction that takes energy from the environment. The low thermal mass of the temperature sensor and the electronic collection of data give an increase in accuracy.
Hess law via sodium hydroxide hydrochloric acid reaction. (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)If no thermo chemical data is available for a particular reaction or the reaction is considered to be too dangerous to make in one step, the enthalpy change can still be predicted by calculation. Hess found that whatever the route taken to make a product the nett energy change was the same.
Heat of combustion of magnesium (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)An illustration of Hess's law.Multi step reactions are monitored and the energy changes calculated to be used to calculate the heat of combustion of magnesium in oxygen.
Molar heat of solution (sodium chloride) (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)When salt dissolves it must first dissociate into a sodium ion and a chloride ion and break down the crystal structure of the solid salt: This requires energy, which absorbs heat from the system, the temperature change as known quantity of salt is dissolved into a known volume of water allows the molar heat of solution to be calculated
A chemical reaction using two chemicals found in the home. (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)This investigation studies the reaction of an acid with a carbonate - carbon dioxide gas is released as bubbles. Additional measurement of change in pH and temperature are monitored in real time by the sensors.
Change of state (solid to liquid) (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)Study the temperature changes as water changes from its solid (ice) state to liquid state
Change of state (liquid to gas) (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)This investigation demonstrates what happens when water changes state from liquid to gas. Measures the temperature as the state changes
Heat of fusion of ice (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)In this experiment the students will quantify the amount of energy needed to convert 1gram of ice into water. The addition of ice to warm water allows us to measure the heat loss (energy transfer) from the water to the ice.
Hydrogen bonding (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)This investigation studies the temperature changes cause by evaporation. The temperature changes are then related back to the structure of the compounds and the intermolecular forces that may be present.
Heat of vaporisation of a liquid (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)The heat of vapourisation of a liquid is the energy in joules needed to convert one gram of the liquid into 1 gram of vapour. In this experiment the energy use in converting the liquid to a gas is seen as a drop in temperature. No measurement of the quantity of energy is made
Charles law (pressure volume) (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)For a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure the volume is proportional to the temperature.The relationship between gas volume and temperature is studied in this investigation. The plot of the data as an x – y plot shows the linear nature of the relationship
Estimation of absolute zero (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)The ideal gas laws tell us that if we keep reducing the temperature of a gas then there will come point when the gas occupies no volume and has no pressure. Uses a constant volume, pressure sensor and temperature sensor.
Determination of "R", the gas constant (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)In this investigation the gas constant R will be calculated. The calculation uses values of pressure from a known volume and mass of carbon dioxide. As the mass of CO2 is known the number of moles can be calculated
Daltons partial pressure (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)Partial pressures can cause problems with many students. This investigation gives a simple demonstration of the principles of partial pressures.Uses combustion and removal of resultant CO2.
Molar mass of volatile liquid (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)The ideal gas law allows us to calculate the molar mass of a gas if we know the volume, pressure and mass. In this investigation acetone is used as it can be made to pass from a liquid to a gas phase at near to room temperatures.
Determination of N for a chemical reaction (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)The experiment provides the data for students to calculate n for a reaction. This is an application of the gas laws pV = nRT.
Thermometric titration (Chemistry (14-18) eBook)The reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxides is exothermic.Temperature change with addition of the titrant gives an alternative to a pH titration.
Comparing fuels (Physics (11-14) eBook)In this investigation different fuels are burnt and used to heat water. It is a very simple investigation to perform, but it contains a lot of important ideas.
Hot water from sun (Physics (11-14) eBook)This is an open ended investigation that allows the students to make and develop a simple solar water
Energy and heat (Physics (11-14) eBook)An exercise to challenge the idea that heat and temperature are the same thing!
Electrical Equivilence Of Heat (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The experiment is very simple and compares the power generated in heating a resistance coil to the heat energy transferred to the water. Measurements are made in Joules to emphasise the transfer of energy.
The Coffee problem, cold to hot ,or hot to cold? (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)This is a classic problem. A simple search on the internet will reveal countless variations of the same experiment and as many explanations many of them requiring a good understanding of quantum physics!
Cooling by evaporation (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The evaporation of a liquid absorbs energy from the surroundings. The absorption of energy will cause a drop in temperature. The temperature sensors will measure the fall in temperature as the liquid evaporates from the soaked cotton wool attached to the sensor.
Sweating and cooling (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)An application of temperature reduction by evaporation. How does sweating keep you cool?
Cooling substances (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)Cooling, changes of state and definition of freezing.
Igneous rocks (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)A simple model of crystallization in cooling liquids. In Earth sciences the size of the crystals in rock samples is used as a measure of how quickly they cooled and is believed therefore to give an insight into the forces at work
Heat transfer (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)Radiation, convection, conduction and paint colour! how do they affect heat loss and temperature change?
Leslie's cube (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The Scottish scientist Leslie studied how the loss of energy from a surface was influenced by the texture and colour of the surface. Anecdotal evidence suggests that dark clothing makes you feel hotter in summer. Is there any supportive science for this belief?
Temperature Vs Infra red (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)how does the infra red emitted from a hot body relate to the temperature? can you make a non contact thermometer?
What type of surface absorbs radiant energy? (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)This investigation encourages the student to think about how surfaces absorb and re-radiate heat energy. Many students hold the belief that a white surface will absorb and radiate the least heat. In the investigation, this assumption is challenged and tested.
Why insulate? Hotter houses for less energy. (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)To keep houses warm in winter or cool in the summer we need to hold the temperature inside the house different too the temperature outside. A practical to model heat lose and gain from a house.
Conduction and convection in gases (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The experiment uses the temperature difference between two temperature sensors to determine the effect of conduction and convection on heat transfer within a gas. Why are light bulbs filled with argon?
Conduction and convection in liquids (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The experiment uses the temperature difference between two temperature sensors to determine the effect of conduction and convection on heat transfer.
Conduction and convection in solids (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)In this experiment students will be able to compare the ability of aluminium (or any convenient thin metal bar) to transfer heat by conduction and convection.
Which metal is the best conductor of heat? (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)Measure the temperature along different metal rods connected to a common heat source.
Which material is the best absorber of heat? (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)variation of the Leslie's cube investigation. Does it really matter what colour clothes you wear in the summer or winter? or even will the colour of a car keep it cooler?
Specific heat capacity of a liquid (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)This investigation will measure the specific heat capacity of a liquid (water). A sample of water of known mass is heated by known number of degrees by an electrical heater.
U Values - how heat is lost from buildings. (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)This investigation will be of use to show how insulation of a house can reduce heat loss (or heat gain) and therefore save money and energy. Many of the principles shown will apply to other areas where heat loss is to be controlled.
Angle and insolation (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The investigation will make use of a Heat Flow sensor, this measures the energy output from a surface. The investigation will let the sun heat up a metal plate facing the sun, the heat being radiated off the back surface of the plate will be recorded by the sensor. Find the best angle for maximum solar input.
Angle and insolation (using artificial light source) (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)The investigation will make use of a Heat Flow sensor, this measures the energy output from a surface. The investigation will let the sun heat up a metal plate facing the sun, the heat being radiated off the back surface of the plate will be recorded by the sensor.
Calibration of a thermometer (Seebeck effect) (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)In the investigation two junctions are used, one is placed in a constantly cold temperature the other has varying temperatures applied to it.
Specific heat capacity of a solid (Physics (14-18) : Electricity & Heat eBook)This investigation will measure the specific heat capacity of a solid. A block of metal of known mass is heated by an electrical heater through a known number of degrees. The electrical energy required to create this temperature rise is determined and used to find the specific heat capacity.
An estimation of absolute zero using pressure and temperature changes of a gas (Physics (14-18) : Light, Sound & Pressure eBook)The investigation attempts to find this point by measuring the pressure of a gas at different temperatures in a fixed volume device. Plotting temperature vs. pressure will allow us to extrapolate the data line back to intercept the temperature axis, The temperature at which the gas occupies no volume is absolute zero.
Charles' Law (Physics (14-18) : Light, Sound & Pressure eBook)A study of the relationship between gas volume and temperature. while we use a contained system to hold the gas ( a gas syringe) the pressure is allowed to stay constant with any temperature change.
Understanding my diet (Science in Sport (11-18) eBook)Diets are not just fads for keeping a body shape to an ideal image. In sport the correct diet can be vital for success. A introductory activity into how science can analyse a diet.
Sweating and cooling (Science in Sport (11-18) eBook)This investigation presents a simple model of the sweating process and shows how effective the evaporation of water is at producing cooling. Understanding the mechanism of sweating in heat control can help you understand the best way to control the problem of overheating.
Sticky Shoes - friction and grip (Science in Sport (11-18) eBook)This is a simple investigation that can be used to teach friction, sports science (choice of equipment) and scientific method (identifying variables and controlling them) on an everyday item.
Insulating houses (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)In this experiment you will investigate how energy loss from enclosed spaces can be reduced. A project based investigation, can you make a cosy house?
Food as fuels (energy in diet) (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)In this investigation varieties of the same type of food are burnt and used to heat water. A simple calculation is provided for transferring the energy value of food into an amount of exercise.
Sticky shoes (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)How can friction influence the type of shoe you wear. Are tennis shoes really only for tennis?
How does infra red and temperature link? (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)make a non contact thermometer from an infra red sensor
Greenhouse effect (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)This experiment attempts to demonstrate the ability of carbon dioxide to capture heat.
Solar waterboilers (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)This is an open ended investigation that allows the students to make and develop a simple solar water heater. It is not anticipated that a complex heater will be created; indeed they do not need to be very complex
What is the boiling point of water? (Science At Work (11-16) eBook)In this experiment the students are challenged by the idea of a constant value that can change. The boiling point of water is widely accepted as 100C, what is often ignored is that this only holds true if the pressure is 1 Atmosphere (101.325 kPa ). What happens if you put a lid on the pan or you live half way up a mountain?
