Heat Transfer: Sunlight's Impact on Air and Land

Mr. Wiggin conducts an experiment to test two claims about how the sun heats the air. The first claim is that the sun heats the air directly, while the second claim suggests the sun heats the land first, which then heats the air. Using a lamp to represent the sun, and rocks to represent the land, initial temperatures are measured above the rocks and in the air. After 20 minutes, the temperatures are measured again, showing a temperature increase above the rocks, supporting the second claim.

What is the purpose of Mr. Wiggin's experiment?

• To measure the brightness of the lamp.

• To grow plants on his kitchen table.

• To test the durability of rocks.

• To determine which claim about heat transfer is more supported.

In the first claim, what role does the lamp play in the experiment?

• It represents the sun.

• It represents the thermometer.

• It represents the air.

• It represents the land.

According to the second claim, what is the sequence of heat transfer?

• Air to sun to land.

• Sun to land to air.

• Land to sun to air.

• Sun to air to land.

What was the initial temperature of the air above the rocks?

• 20 degrees Celsius

• 30 degrees Celsius

• 22 degrees Celsius

• 24 degrees Celsius

What was the initial temperature of the air over the empty space?

• 22 degrees Celsius

• 30 degrees Celsius

• 20 degrees Celsius

• 24 degrees Celsius

After 20 minutes, what was the temperature of the air above the rocks?

• 22 degrees Celsius

• 24 degrees Celsius

• 26 degrees Celsius

• 30 degrees Celsius

What was the final temperature of the air over the empty space after the experiment?

• 26 degrees Celsius

• 30 degrees Celsius

• 24 degrees Celsius

• 22 degrees Celsius

What does the increase in temperature above the rocks suggest?

• The rocks cooled down the air.

• The air was unaffected by the rocks.

• The rocks absorbed heat and transferred it to the air.

• The rocks reflected the heat back to the lamp.

What conclusion can be drawn from the experiment regarding the two claims?

• The sun directly heats the air more effectively.

• The sun heats the land, which then heats the air.

• The experiment was inconclusive.

• The air heats the sun and the land.