what is temperature? When we describe what a place is like, temperature is one of the first things we notice. Is it hot, cool, cold; comfortable or only just bearable? Most of us know what temperatures suit us best, but people become used to the range of temperatures in the country where they live. why is it important? We measure temperature in degrees Celsius, or degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, for humans, temperatures below 18 degrees C (64 degrees F) are a little cool for just sitting around. Those above 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) are a little too hot for strenuous exercise. Temperatures are measured in the shade generally, so that the heat of the Sun does not affect the measurement by actually heating up the instrument being used. In the Sun, temps. can be as much as 10-15 degrees C (18-27 degrees) higher in calm weather, but much less in windy conditions. The same temperatures will not necessarily produce the same feeling of heat or cold indoors as distinct from outdoors, where wind, sun and humidity also play a part. .
activities with temperature Look at the temperature difference between two heights, one close to the ground (say 2-5cm) and one at 2-3m. How does this temperature gradient change between day and night, cloudy and clear, calm and windy? Record the way that outside temperature varies hour by hour over the course of a day (i.e. from 9am to 4 pm). is the variation the same on cloudy days as on clear days? Does this variation look the same close to the ground as a few metres above the ground?exploring the differences Record the rapid changes of temperature that occur around sunrise or sunset, by taking measurements every 5 minutes for an hour or so. Look at differences between cloudy and clear nights, and between calm and windy nights. How do buildings influence temperature, by day and by night? Make measurements out in the open, and gradually nearer the buildings, in courtyards etc.
