Investigating Global Temperature Means

Investigating Global Temperature Means

Name: ______Period: ______

Date: ______

Prelab Questions

1. Make a hypothesis about how you think global temperatures have changed in the last 150 years. Briefly include how different regions on the globe might change differently.

1. What are two possible causes of the changes included in your hypothesis?

Investigation

1. Go to Ms. Nielsen’s website and download the “Global Temperature Means”, “Northern Hemisphere Temperature Means” and “Zonal Annual Temperature Means” files. These data are from NASA:

The data are in tabular format of temperature anomalies, i.e. deviations from the corresponding 1951-1980 means.

1. Open the data in Excel.
2. Briefly describe what each of the data sets includes.

1. How is the data measured? Why might it be measured this way?

1. Open the “Global Temperature Means” data set and select the year column. Press control and select the “Jan” column (this should select both columns at the same time). Select the charts tab on top and create a scatter plot of the data. Year should be on the x-axis and the temperature anomaly should be on the y-axis. Practice adding a trendline and displaying the graph in an easily readable format.

1. What does this graph show us?

1. Next, in a new column to the right of the all the data, type “Average” into the first row. In the second row, type “=AVERAGE(B2:M2)”. Drag this equation all the way to the end of the data. This should produce a column of average annual global temperature anomalies.

1. Produce a scatter plot for this data.
2. What does this graph show us?

1. Open up the “Northern Hemisphere Temperature Means” and “Zonal Annual Temperature Means” files and practice making similar graphs.

Deliverables:

Lab write-up including the following sections:

1. Introduction explaining the relevance of climate change and an explanation of the data set used in your analysis. Also include your hypothesis with your reasoning for your suggested changes and answers to the Investigations Questions.
2. Graphs—please include the 2 scatter plots described above as well as 3 additional graphs that you find show an interesting trend. Please include at least one graph from each data set. Make sure your graphs have proper labels, title, and key if necessary. Size the graphs appropriately, approx. 1/3-1/2 page per graph.
3. Discussion—please include an analysis of your graphs. Discuss errors or possible limitations of the data set. Make a prediction about the future of climate change based on the evidence you provided in your graphs.

Note: Lab write-ups should be no more than 6 pages total, including your graphs.