Name Period Date

Weather in a Terrarium

Driving Questions
What changes occur to temperature, absolute and relative humidity, dew point, and barometric pressure in the
microclimate of a terrarium in a 24-hour period? How are the changes in these factors of weather related?

Background
Weather is a daily “snapshot” of the atmosphere at a specific
place and time. Earth’s atmosphere can be divided into six
layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere,
thermosphere, and exosphere. Of these layers, the troposphere
(6 to 10 miles thick) is closest to the earth’s surface and is
home to the factors that contribute to the complex system
known as weather. In the troposphere, the sun warms the air,
increasing the kinetic energy of the gas molecules. These
consequently rise and are replaced by colder air molecules.
This process of convection creates winds and transports
clouds.

Three main constituents of weather include temperature,

moisture (humidity), and air pressure.

Temperature, measured in units of degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F) is related to the average kinetic
energy of molecules. Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor starts to condense in air at the existing
atmospheric pressure and water vapor content.

Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. Meteorologists describe humidity using several
terms, including absolute humidity, relative humidity, and specific humidity. Relative humidity is the amount of
water vapor in the air compared to the amount the air could hold if it was totally saturated at that temperature.

Atmospheric pressure is the force of air molecules upon the earth’s surface. Differences in pressures between
air masses cause the air mass to move, resulting in a change of weather.

A terrarium can serve as a model of a microclimate—a small region that has its own weather patterns.

Materials and Equipment

For each student or group:

 Data collection system  Small box or other support
 Weather anemometer sensor  Terrarium (or suitable alternative)
 Extension cable

Safety
Follow all standard laboratory procedures.

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Weather in a Terrarium

Procedure
After you complete a step (or answer a question), place a check mark in the box () next to that step.

Note: When you see the symbol "�" with a superscripted number following a step, refer to the numbered Tech
Tips listed in the Tech Tips appendix that corresponds to your PASCO data collection system. There you will find
detailed technical instructions for performing that step. Your teacher will provide you with a copy of the
instructions for these operations.

Set Up

1.  Start a new experiment on the data collection system. �(1.2)

2.  Connect the weather sensor to the extension cable. Connect the extension cable to the data collection
system. �(2.1)

3.  Change the sample rate so that the sensor records 1 data point every 2 minutes. �(5.1)

4.  Choose two variables to display on your data collection system (for example: one graph of
Temperature versus Time and another of Barometric pressure versus Time. �(7.1.11)

Note: The weather sensor records many different measurements simultaneously. If needed, your
teacher can guide you in displaying other variables.

5.  Place the terrarium in a well-lit area (near a window), but not in direct sunlight.

6.  Place a small box or other support in the terrarium.

7.  Place the weather sensor on a small box or support.

Note: Make sure that the end of the sensor extends beyond the edge of the support so that air can flow
past the sensor.

Collect Data

8.  Start recording data. �(6.2)

9.  Adjust the scale of the graph to show all data. �(7.1.2)

10.  Record data for 24 hours.

11.  At the end of 24 hours, stop recording data. �(6.2)

12.  Save your experiment, �(11.1) and clean up according to your teacher's instructions.

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 Student Worksheet

Data Analysis

1.  Make a sketch of your data for Temperature versus Time. Label the overall graph, the x-axis, the y-
axis, and include units on the axes.

2.  Make a sketch of your data for Relative Humidity versus Time. Label the overall graph, the x-axis, the
y-axis, and include units on the axes.

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Weather in a Terrarium

3.  Make a sketch of your data for Dew Point versus Time. Label the overall graph, the x-axis, the y-axis,
and include units on the axes.

4.  Use available tools to find the minimum, maximum and average � (9.4) temperature, relative humidity,
dew point, absolute humidity and barometric pressure. Record your data in Table 1 below. Then
calculate the percent change over time.

Table 1: Measurements for temperature, humidity, dew point, and barometric pressure

Measurement Minimum Maximum Average % Change

Temperature
(°C)

Relative Humidity

Dew Point
(°C)

Absolute Humidity (grams

per cubic meter)

Barometric Pressure
(inches of mercury)

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 Student Worksheet

Analysis Questions

1. Which factor changed the most over 24 hours?

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2. Which factor changed the least?

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3. What connections can you make between the outside weather and the weather inside the terrarium
during the 24-hour period? Why might they be different?

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