Non Contact Thermometer (Tove Aitchison)
Author
Tove Aitchison, Frost Middle School
Sensor / Probe
LaserGrip 774 - this allows you to measure temperatures using an infrared lens. This can measure temperatures from -50 to 380 degrees Celcius. With an accuracy of + or - 2 degrees Celcius. The battery life should last for 14 hours of use.
Sample Investigation
In my sample investigation, I will measure the temperature of water at three temperatures. I will have a beaker of ice water, a beaker of room temperature water, and a beaker of boiling water. I will compare the temperatures given by the LaserGrip 774 with a standard lab-grade alcohol bulb thermometer.
My independent variable is the temperature of the water.
My controls are that I will be measuring using the same thermometer for all three beakers of water.
My constants are room temperature, and same type of beakers.
Sample Data & Analysis and Interpretation
What I noticed was that there are advantages to the alcohol bulb thermometers and to the non contact thermometer. The good thing about the alcohol thermometer, is they do not lose their high recorded temperature. I could see situations where you want students to be able to check this data, if they forgot to record it. However, they will of course show higher temperatures, as samples get warmer. On the other hand, alcohol bulb thermometers are notorious for not being accurate. In this investigation two of the alcohol bulb thermometers in the same solution differed by more than two degrees Celcius.
I'm going to present these to my department members as an addition/replacement to our alcohol bulb thermometers.
Where to Get
LaserGrip 774 - Amazon $16.88 (A two year warranty is included.)
Photos
Three beakers of 400 ml water each. Far left beaker's water was boiling when it was added. Middle beaker contains water from the sink. Far right water is a mixture of ice and water.
This is a shot of the ice and water mixture.
This is a photo of the pipe temperature water.
This is a shot of the water that was boiling when it was put in the beaker. This beaker started out at 70 Celcius when I started shooting the video.