| What time does it get light in the morning? When does it get dark? Is the central heating working OK? I just had to know, so I took my data logging equipment and started to find out. |
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What I did
I put a light sensor and a temperature sensor outside a window. These measure the light level and temperature. I put another temperature sensor indoors. I connected the three sensors to a data logger and got it to start recording at midnight. For nearly two days and nights, about 43 hours, the data logger took readings from the sensors. The results are shown on the graph below.
The results
The graph shows the readings two sensors measuring temperature and one measuring the light level. Remember that the graph starts at midnight.
You will find some of the questions easier if you put these results into your
data logging software. Click here to get the results, then Open it in your data logging program.
Looking at the results
- There were three sensors - which colour graph line shows the outside temperature, which shows the inside temperature and which shows the light level? If you can get a print out, label it.
- Is the heating switching on? Does it switch on before or after day light appears?
- Do you think the heating is 'on' for too long? Is it coming on too early and going off too late? Study the graphs and at least make some suggestions.
- Look at the graph of the light level. Why do you think the trace 'wobbles' as it does?
- Which day was warmer and sunnier?
- At what time of day is the light level greatest? Is this what you might expect?
- Use your data logging software to work out - or otherwise try to guess
- What time it gets light in the morning. What time it gets dark.
- How long is it between when it gets light on the first morning, and when it gets light on the second morning.
- How long does 'daylight' last for? Apart from the fact that the heating was on, can you say why you think this experiment was done in the winter?
What you can do
How long does it take for the central heating boiler to warm up the house? How long does it take for the house to cool down? Compare the temperatures in the house, near the boiler and outside over a day or so. What will affect your results?
Where to get help
For another idea see Weather - keeping warm |
