To find the average change in temperature, you calculate the difference in temperature over a period of time and then divide that difference by the duration of the time period.
Calculating Average Temperature Change
The process involves a few key steps:
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Determine the starting and ending temperatures: Note the temperature at the beginning of the period you're observing and the temperature at the end.
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Calculate the difference: Subtract the starting temperature from the ending temperature. This gives you the total change in temperature.
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Determine the duration: Calculate the total time that passed between the beginning and the end of the observation period. This must be in hours, minutes, or another specific unit.
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Calculate the average change: Divide the total change in temperature (from step 2) by the duration (from step 3). The result is the average rate of temperature change over the time period.
- For example, if the temperature increased from 10°C to 20°C over 5 hours, the total change in temperature is 10°C, and the average rate of change is 2°C per hour.
Example using the provided reference
Based on our reference, let’s calculate the average temperature change between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
| Time | Temperature |
|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | 15°C |
| 2 p.m. | 25°C |
- Total temperature change: 25°C - 15°C = 10°C
- Time Duration: 2 p.m. - 9 a.m. = 5 hours.
- Average temperature change: 10°C / 5 hours = 2°C per hour
Why this is important?
Finding the average change in temperature can be useful for:
- Weather Forecasting: Understanding how temperatures are changing.
- Climate Studies: Analyzing temperature trends over time.
- Scientific Experiments: Observing and recording temperature fluctuations.
