Earth science Geology
Albedo Lab – Investigation Sheet Driving Question: What effect does albedo have on surface temperature? Albedo Laboratory Hypothesis Predict which paper envelope, white or black, will heat up faster. Which envelope will reach the highest temperature the fastest, thus having lower albedo? Include a reason for your prediction. Think about different surface temperatures in the summer.
RANK ALEBEDO MOVE OUT OF LIGHT
Albedo Data Collection Table (record in Celsius)
Envelope Type
BEFORE (Record before
paper is moved into
the sun light)
2 min. 4 min. 6 min.
8 min. (Take out of
light after recording this measurement)
10 min.
Heat Increase (8 min. – Before)
Heat
Reduction (8 min. –
10 minute)
White Paper
Black Paper
Albedo Ranking
Black – White –
Lab 4- Albedo Worksheet
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Data Visualization
1. Transfer the Albedo Data Collection Table into MS Excel. Only include the title row and white and black paper rows and only the 6 data record columns (do not include Heat Increase or Heat Reduction Calculation columns).
2. Using the data from your experiment, make a graph to visualize your data. Be sure to give the graph a Title, x and y axis titles. If you are unfamiliar with how charts work in Excel select this hyperlink.
Albedo Lab Analysis
3. Which color envelope reached a higher maximum temperature? Why do you think this occurred? Think about reflection and absorption.
4. What did you notice about the rate of heat loss after the light was turned off? How did the heat gained over the first 8 minutes compare to the amount of heat reduction during the last 2 minutes? Did color appear to affect the rate of heat reduction?
5. Which color envelope would have a higher albedo? Why?
6. Which color envelope would have a lower albedo? Why?
7. Think about different types of surfaces on the Earth such as ice, oceans, forests,
and large cities.
a. What surfaces are best represented by the white paper? b. What surfaces are best represented by the black paper? c. Which surfaces absorb more solar radiation? d. Which surfaces reflect more solar radiation? e. How does the color of the Earth’s surface affect air, land, and sea
temperatures?
8. Open Google Earth Pro and the Global_Albedo_15_01.kmz and the Global_Albedo_15_07.kmz files. Make sure both layers are on.
a. Look at Europe in the northern hemisphere and turn the July Layer off and on while leaving the January layer on. Which layer has a higher albedo over Europe? Why? What is on the surface that is causing albedo in Europe?
b. Look at South America. Turn the July layer off and on, while leaving the January layer on. Which layer has a higher albedo in South America? Why? What is the on surface that is causing albedo in South America?
Lab 4- Albedo Worksheet
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c. Look at Northern Africa, just at the Tropic of Cancer. Turn the July Layer
on and off, while leaving the January layer on. Which layer has more albedo over Northern Africa? Why? What is on the surface of Northern Africa?
d. Why is there no data shown for albedo over the oceans? Do the oceans
absorb or reflect radiation?
9. Drawing conclusions. Compose a well-written paragraph that addresses the investigative question: What effect does albedo have on surface temperature? Support your conclusion with evidence (data) from the albedo experiment. Remember to reference your figures by name.
- Albedo Lab – Investigation Sheet
- Driving Question: What effect does albedo have on surface temperature?
- Albedo Laboratory Hypothesis
- Predict which paper envelope, white or black, will heat up faster. Which envelope will reach the highest temperature the fastest, thus having lower albedo? Include a reason for your prediction. Think about different surface temperatures in the summer.
- RANK ALEBEDO MOVE OUT OF LIGHT
- Albedo Data Collection Table (record in Celsius)