Science Projects for Beginners: Is One Room of Your House Colder Than Another?
Is One Room of Your House Colder Than Another?
You may have noticed in your house—especially if it has a basement or attic—that the temperature varies from one area to another.
In this suggested project, you'll attempt to identify the temperature variations of different parts of your house, and then to figure out what causes the differences to occur.
You'll use the temperature of a main living area as your control, and the variables will be other parts of the house. You don't need to record temperatures in every room, but pay special attention to areas on different levels (underground basements normally are relatively cool spots, while top-floor attics generally are warm), or rooms that might be built over the garage or other chilly location.
Basic Elements
Earth science is simply the general term for sciences such as geology, geography, and geomorphology—all of which are concerned with how the earth is structured, how long it's been in existence, effects on the earth from various influences, and so forth.
In order to conduct the experiment, you'll need to take daily air temperature readings both inside and outside your house. The outside temperature is important because it could cause the indoor temperature to vary. You'll also need to note special conditions like high winds and rain.
Standard Procedure
Checking temperatures in several areas of your house two or three times a day for two weeks will result in a lot of numbers. Be sure to record your results carefully and accurately.
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Science Fair Projects © 2003 by Nancy K. O'Leary and Susan Shelly. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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