SSI3013(A)

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

IN SCIENCE

EXPERIMENT USING DATA LOGGING:

NEWTON’S LAW OF COOLING

NAME MATRIC NO.

NABILAH ‘ALIAH BT AMER AZHAR D20151071575
NUR HAZWANI BT OTHMAN D20151071573
DEWI BT SALAM D20151070973
WHAT IS DATA LOGGING?

Data logging is the process of collecting and storing data over a period of time in order
to analyse specific trends or record any data of a system or environment. It enables the tracking
of all interactions through which data, files or applications are stored, accessed or modified on
a storage device or application.

Data logging can be done using a data logger device. A data logger is an electronic
device that takes measurements from the environment or situation, stores the information and
is able to provide the information back in a format that can be analysed, manipulate, apply
calculations to, and show as graphs or figures. Depending on the particular data logger,
measurements can include air temperature, relative humidity, AC/DC current and voltage,
differential pressure, light intensity, water temperature, water level, dissolved oxygen, soil
moisture, rainfall, wind speed and direction, pulse signals, and many more.

Basically, the main components of data logging are computer, some sensors to measure
the physical quantities of interest, an interface to connect the sensors to the computer, and
software to store and display the information on the computer.

First, a sensor acts as the data collector which converts a physical quantity such as
temperature, light, sound, or pulse into an electrical signal. Then, the interface (or data logger)
which is an electronic instrument that records measurement over time, transferred the readings
to the computer. Utilized software in the computer will then read the information sent from the
sensor and display the data on the computer screen.
Advantages

Using data logging can be very helpful to obtain data, process, analyse, and construct
graphs. It is an alternative way of conducting experiment with better data recording and
analysis. With the use of data logging system, data collection can be automatic, thus no human
presence is necessary. This can be convenient when the situation or the experiment conducted
requires a lot of time to collect data, and that it is difficult for human to stay at the location for
a long time. Plus, readings using data logging system can be continually taken over long period
of time.

In manually data collection, there might be a chance of human forgetting to take a

reading or missed a reading, which will then disrupt the analysis and result of an experiment.
But with data logging, all the readings can be collected without miss. Readings will also be
more accurate with the use of computer since there is no chance of human error.

In addition, for experiment or research conducted in extreme condition, sensors can be

placed in locations where it is dangerous for humans to go. The sensors will then send readings
directly to the computer to be recorded. Thus, human can easily analyse the data collected
without having to manually go to the dangerous place. Another advantage of using data logging
system is that readings can be taken very quickly which humans cannot do.

Disadvantages

Nevertheless, computers and technology still cannot replace human totally. In data
logging system, if there is a fault in the sensor or the computer, it may go unnoticed for a long
time. Not just that, the initial cost of purchasing the equipment is quite expensive. Some people
may also find it difficult to use computer system. The conventional methods of data collection
too, will be loss, which may lead to less appreciation of doing research or experiment in
people’s heart.
ENGAGE

The cooling process of a hot cup of tea can be an interesting and simple example of a
Newton’s law of cooling. Let’s consider two cups of tea:

Cup 1: The hot water is poured from the kettle and then the tea was left at the initial temperature
at which it was poured from the kettle. The milk is added later after a while.

Cup 2: The hot water is poured from the kettle and then the milk is added straight away. The
tea was left for a while. The addition of cold milk disturbed the overall temperature of the tea
and the temperature of both tea will be found out.

So, the question is whether we want to put the milk first and leave it for a while, or
leave it first then pour a milk to sustain a hot temperature. Here’s come the concept of Newton’s
law of cooling.

EXPERIMENT: NEWTON’S LAW OF COOLING

1) Introduction

Isaac Newton modelled the cooling process by assuming that the rate at which thermal
energy moved from one body to another is proportional (by a constant k) to the difference in
temperature between the two bodies, 𝑇𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓 . In the case of a sample of water cooling in room
temperature air.

𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = – 𝑘𝑇𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓

From this simple assumption he showed that the temperature change is exponential in time
and can be predicted by:
 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡 + 𝑇𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑚

where 𝑇𝑜 is the initial temperature difference. Exponential changes are common in science.
When a rate of change is proportional to the changing quantity the behaviour is exponential.

Newton’s law of cooling states that the rate of loss of heat from a body is proportional to
the difference in the temperature of the body and its surroundings (excess temperature). The
law can be expressed mathematically as :

𝑑𝑄
= 𝐾(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 )
𝑑𝑡

Where 𝐾 is the positive constant that depends on the area and the nature of the surface of the
body under consideration. Since rate of change of heat is proportional to rate of change of
temperature, the equation can be written as :

𝑑𝑇
= 𝐾(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 )
𝑑𝑡

Hence, the theory can also be stated that the rate change of temperature is directly
proportional to the excess temperature. By integrating both sides the equation becomes
exponential.

1
𝑘 ∫ 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 𝑑𝑇
(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 )

𝑙𝑛|𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 | = 𝑘𝑡 + 𝑐

|𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 | = 𝑒 𝑘𝑡+𝑐

2) Objectives
 To verify the Newton’s law of cooling.
 To understand that the rate of cooling (rate of temperature change) depends on the
temperature difference between the object and its surroundings.
3) Materials and apparatus
 Retort stand
 Beaker
 Hot plate heater
 Bimetal kit
 Heat sensor (in replace of thermometer)

4) Methodology

Figure 1 Figure 2

The experimental apparatus was set up as shown in Figure 1. The thermometer in Figure
1 was changed to a heat sensor and connected to the computer as shown in Figure 2. The beaker
provided was third quarter filled with water bath. It then was put on the heater and straight
away immersed the bimetal kit inside the water bath. The deflection of bimetal against the
temperature while heating was recorded into the table. A calibration graph of the deflection of
bimetal and time during heating was plotted (Graph 1). Then, the bimetal kit was removed out
from the hot water bath and exposed it to the surrounding temperature. The deflection reading
was quickly recorded once the bimetal kit removed from the hot water bath with respect to the
time represented in Graph 1. Next, a curve temperature (T) against time (t) was plotted and the
tangent of the curve was determined at 5 to 6 points. From the points to get the tangent of the
curve, a straight line graph was plotted against the excess temperature and the graph obtained
was discussed.
5) Result and data

Measurement data were tabulated in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3.

Temperature,T Deflection of y-
(℃) axis,y (cm ) GRAPH Y AGAINST T
1.0 y = 0.0415x - 1.0544
30.0 0.2
0.9

DEFLECTION ( Y CM )
32.0 0.3 0.8
0.7
36.0 0.4 0.6
0.5
37.0 0.5 0.4
0.3
40.5 0.6 0.2
0.1
42.5 0.7
0.0
44.5 0.8 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0
TEMPERATURE (T ̊C)
47.0 0.9
Table 1. Data for heating process. Graph 1. Graph of the heating process.

Time,t (s) Temperature,T(℃) Graph T against t

285 30.0
Temperature (T ̊C)

45.0
90 36.0
y = -3.995ln(x) + 52.698
31 37.0 40.0

25 40.5 35.0

15 42.5
30.0
8 44.5 0 100 200 300
Time ( t sec )
4 47.0
Table 2. Data for cooling process. Graph 2. Graph of the cooling process.

Excess temp. (℃) Tangent (℃ s-1)

GRAPH Y AGAINST T
16.5 0.499 1.0
y = 0.0415x - 1.0544
DEFLECTION ( Y CM )

0.8
14.5 0.266
0.6
10.0 0.160 0.4
0.2
6.5 0.129
0.0
4.0 0.044 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0
TEMPERATURE (T ̊C)
2.0 0.025
 Table 3. Data for the analyzed result. Graph 3. Graph for the analyzed result.

6) Discussion

This experiment was set to verify Newton’s law of cooling using bimetal strip. The first
part of the experiment tested the calibration of bimetal deflection with temperature. A graph of
deflection of the bimetal y against temperature T (Graph 1) was plotted, and a straight line was
obtained. Thus, it was shown that the expansion of the bimetal strip was directly proportional
to the temperature. Since bimetal strip had two different type of metal with different coefficient
of thermal expansion, the strip bent as a result of one metal expanded more than the other one,
as temperature increased.

Next, the bent bimetal was put in surrounding temperature in order to test the time it
took to cool and become straight again. A graph of decreasing temperature T against time t for
bimetal to cool was plotted (Graph 2). An exponential curve was obtained. Based on the graph
of temperature T against time t, the change in temperature was steeper in the beginning and as
the temperature decreased with time, it gradually became steady. This meant that rate of
cooling was higher at the beginning and decreased as the temperature of the bimetal fell.

Using tangent and gradient in the graph of temperature with respect to time, the rate of
change of temperature was measured. Then, in order to verify Newton’s law of cooling, a graph
of rate of change of temperature dT/dt with respect to excess temperature (T-Ts) was plotted.
The result shown in the graph was a straight line, which defined the theory that the rate change
of temperature is proportional to the excess temperature.

In other derivation, the equation :

T(t) = C2e-kt + Ta,

Temperature as a function of time T(t) depends on the variables C2, k, and Ta. If these values
are known, then the temperature at any time, t, can be found simply by substituting that time
for t in the equation. Or the time for an object to reach a certain temperature can be found by
solving for t, and substituting T(t) for the given temperature.
Questions

1. What happen if the water level in the water bath was not enough to immerse the
bimetal strip fully?

The water level must immerse the bimetal strip to ensure the uniform heating. If the
water level is not immersed, some of the metal will not heated and it will affect the
deflection reading of bimetal strip.

2. As soon as the heated bimetal kit was removed out of the hot water bath and being
exposed to room temperature, the deflection reading was quickly recorded.
Explain the reason.

Because, when the bimetal was taken out of the hot water bath, the heat from the bimetal
strip immediately started to escape to the surrounding. It was actually the starting point
of cooling process.

7) Conclusion

The Newton's Law of Cooling is verified. The values for k are not universal. The design of the
experiment are accurate to be used in the room temperature.

ENHANCE (LIFE APPLICATION)

A person is found murdered in their home. As the forensic who investigate this case, how do
you find out the time of death of the victim?

Answer

According to Newton, when hot bodies are left in the open, they are found to cool gradually.
Thus, to find out the time of death is by taking the temperature of the body when discovered,
knowing that the average temperature of human body is 37°C, and measuring the ambient
temperature. Use the Newton’s law of cooling formula to find probability constant k, and then
find time of death.
EXTENSION (HOMEWORK FOR STUDENTS)

Does coldness exist? Explain your view.

Answer

According to the law of physics, what we consider cold is actually the absence of heat. Heat,
by definition is a form of energy which flows from high state to lower state of energy. When
we cool something, it’s just means that we are decreasing the average motion of energy (kinetic
energy) of its particles. Absolute zero temperature is the total absence of heat, and all matter
becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We simply
created this word to describe how we feel if we have only not enough heat.

REFERENCES

Onset computer corporation (n.d.). What is a data logger. Retrieved from

http://www.onsetcomp.com/what-is-a-data-logger

Omega (n.d.). Introduction to data logging system. Retrieved from

https://www.omega.com/techref/pdf/LOGGERINTRO.pdf

Raullobo25 (2017, 2nd April). Data logging systems. Get revising: Part of the student room.

Retrieved from https://getrevising.co.uk/grids/data-logging-systems

Newton Law of Cooling. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www2.vernier.com/sample_labs/PWV-30-COMP-newtons_law_cooling.pdf