Investigate and find the relationship between heat loss (of water) and surface area to volume ratio of animals.

To investigate the relationship between surface area : volume ratio and heat loss.

INTRODUCTION:

The aim of this experiment is to investigate and find the relationship between heat loss (of water) and surface area to volume ratio of animals. To investigate this, we are going to use three flasks of different volume (as the equivalent the animals) and thus different surface areas filled with water.

BACKGROUND:

Surface Area : Volume Ratios

We will be using the following formula for calculating SA:Vol ratios:

SA : Vol

Vol : Vol

100ml flask = 115 : 100 = 1.15 : 1

100 : 100

250ml flask = 230 : 250 = 0.92 : 1

250 : 250

500ml flask = 330 : 500 = 0.66:1

500 : 500

The factors effecting heat loss:

1.Energy Levels

2.Climate / air temperature

3.Mass / Size of the animal

4.Temperature control levels within the animal

5.Surface Area of the animal

6.Circulatory System within the animal, eg double

EXPERIMENT:

Apparatus:

·3x Clamp Stands

·3x flasks (1x 100ml, 1x 250ml, 1x 500ml)

·Thermometer (To measure the heat loss)

·Stopwatch (To measure time intervals)

·Water Heater (To keep the water hot before the experiment)

Method:

1.Water is going to be heated to a certain temperature in the water heater bath.

2.We will then take the correct amount of water out of the bath and it will be placed in the corresponding flask, ie 100ml of water for the 100ml flask.

3.This will be done for all the flasks, 100ml, 250ml and 500ml flasks.

4.The flasks will be placed in a retort stand so that there is no heat loss via conduction from touching the bench.

5.The flasks top will be sealed with a plastic bung, with a thermometer going through it into the center of the water.

6.A reading of...