Earth's Albedo Lab

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Testing the Albedo of Earth’s Major Surface Substances Aidan Walsh Mrs. Bell SNC2D Wed. 14, 2012 PURPOSE: To test the relationship between each major surface substance’s albedo and climate. QUESTION: What is the relative albedo of each individual substance tested? HYPOTHESIS: I predict that the soil and leaves will have a lower albedo than the ice or water, which will have a high albedo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: First, we gathered material that we thought would represent major surface substances on Earth. Then we placed each substance under a heat lamp which represented the energy from the sun, and proceeded to measure the difference in temperature for each over the time period exposed to the light energy. APPARATUS: • Retort stand • 500ml. Beaker • 65W Light bulb • Beaker clamp • Extension cord for light bulb • Thermometer • Timer MATERIALS: • 3 Ice Cubes • 300ml. of Freshwater • 300ml. of Saltwater • 300ml. of Soil • 300ml. of Compressed Tree Leaves PROCEDURE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Attach beaker clamp to retort stand Attach cord to beaker clamp Put light bulb into cord socket Place beaker under retort stand Adjust beaker clamp to position light bulb approximately 5-6cm. above beaker Fill beaker with the predetermined amount of a listed substance Place thermometer in beaker for 1 minute to determine the starting temperature of the substance 8. Remove the thermometer and turn on light bulb for 8 minutes 9. Turn off light and place thermometer in substance for 1 minute in order to determine the ending temperature 10. Record results 11. Repeat steps 6-10 until all substances have been tested OBSERVATIONS: Substance Ice Freshwater Saltwater Soil Compressed Leaves Beginning Temperature in ˚C 0 20 21 19 18 Ending Temperature in ˚C 3 22.5 24 23 26 Temperature Difference in ˚C 3 2.5 3 4 8
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