Weather around the World
QCA Unit 7

Activities for home - Warmth of the sun

Try this experiment to show how the angle of the Sun's rays affects the temperature of the Earth.

You will need...

1 A tray of compost

2 A thermometer

3 An angle-poise lamp with a 150W bulb

Try this...

1 Bury the thermometer in the tray of compost.

2 Shine the light and heat from the lamp directly onto the tray of compost for one hour.

3 When the time is up, feel the compost. Remove the thermometer and check the temperature.

4 Now repeat the experiment, but this time shine the light and heat from an angle. Is there any difference in temperature after an hour?

Which part of the experiment shows how the ground is heated in Iqaluit, Canada? Do you think it would be possible to grow crops there? Give reasons for your answer.