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Performance Task:
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In this task you will build an instrument to
measure air pressure and use it to develop an understanding of the
relationship between air pressure and weather change. You will need a
balloon, a wide-mouth jar, a rubber band, glue, a toothpick, a drinking
straw, cardboard, and a wood block for this experiment. After securing your
materials, construct your instrument using the directions below.
Directions:
- Stretch a piece of the balloon over the mouth of the jar and secure with
a rubber band.
- Flatten the drinking straw and glue a toothpick to one end.
- Glue the straw to the center of the balloon.
- Glue a piece of cardboard to the block.
- Point the end of the toothpick at the cardboard and draw a straight line
across it where the toothpick points.
Check your barometer each day for four consecutive days and record whether
the pointer is at, above, or below the line. If the pointer has moved, draw
a new line. Also record the weather condition at the time of your barometer
reading. In your science journal, copy the following table for the daily
recording of the air pressure and weather condition. Write a brief summary
in your science journal describing how a barometer functions and how
meteorologists can use it to predict weather change.
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AIR
PRESSURE
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WEATHER CONDITION
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DAY 1
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_________________ |
_________________ |
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DAY 2
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_________________ |
_________________ |
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DAY 3
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_________________ |
_________________ |
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DAY 4
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_________________ |
_________________ |
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Knowledge / Skills:
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Know and apply the principles of scientific
inquiry. (xs1)
Know the relationships between local atmospheric
variables (e.g., temperature, pressure, moisture, wind, etc.). (s16)
Use writing as a tool for learning in formats
such as learning logs, laboratory reports, note-taking, and journals. (ela40)
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