A student visiting a beach is curious why, on a sunny day, the air, sand, and water all feel like they are different temperatures. The student obtains three thermometers to take temperature measurements of the air, sand, and water. The student places a floating thermometer in the water for 15 minutes and records the temperature. Next, the student stands on the beach with a hand-held thermometer for 15 minutes to record the temperature of the air. The student needs to take the temperature of the sand, but is unsure where to place the third thermometer.
Which answer choice below describes the best location to accurately measure the temperature of the sand?
a
The student should place the thermometer just under the sand, close to the water's edge. This is the result of a correct assessment of the experiment's needs. In order to obtain the most accurate temperature measurement, the thermometer should be buried in the sand.
b
The student should place the thermometer in the sand under the water where the temperature of the water was measured. This is the result of an incorrect assessment of the needs of the experiment. Taking the temperature of the sand in this location would result in a measurement that is affected by the temperature of the water covering the sand.
c
The student should lay the thermometer on top of the sand where the water and sand meet. This is the result of an incorrect assessment of the needs of the experiment. The temperature measurement resulting from this action would be affected by the temperatures of both the water and the air.
d
The student should hold the thermometer close to the sand near the edge of the water. This answer choice is the result of an incorrect assessment of the needs of the experiment. Taking the temperature in this manner would produce a second air temperature measurement.
a. The student should place the thermometer just under the sand, close to the water's edge. This is the result of a correct assessment of the experiment's needs. In order to obtain the most accurate temperature measurement, the thermometer should be buried in the sand.
d
The student should hold the thermometer close to the sand near the edge of the water. This answer choice is the result of an incorrect assessment of the needs of the experiment. Taking the temperature in this manner would produce a second air temperature measurement.
"Why did the thermometer bring a beach umbrella? Because it wanted some shade from the sun and sand!"
b
The student should place the thermometer in the sand under the water where the temperature of the water was measured. This is the result of an incorrect assessment of the needs of the experiment. Taking the temperature of the sand in this location would result in a measurement that is affected by the temperature of the water covering the sand.
The best location to accurately measure the temperature of the sand is option a: the student should place the thermometer just under the sand, close to the water's edge.
This is because burying the thermometer in the sand allows it to directly measure the temperature of the sand itself, without being affected by the temperatures of the water or the air. By placing the thermometer under the sand, close to the water's edge, the student can obtain a more accurate measurement of the sand's temperature.