:Shower Time
Trend Task
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Approach:  One to one Level: Year 4 and year 8
Focus: Condensation 
Resources: Video recording on laptop computer
336KB

Questions/instructions:

This activity uses the computer.
We are going to watch a movie that shows somebody’s problem. After they have had a shower they can’t see in the mirror clearly. Let’s watch the movie.
Click the Shower Time button. The video will start.


[No soundtrack; sound of shower only]


% responses
2003 ('99)
y4
y8
During the shower the mirror steamed up.
1. Why did the mirror steam up during the shower?
[Shower puts water vapour into the air. This travels through room to mirror. Condenses on mirror when it hits cooler surface.]


full explanation – all 3 elements
1 (0)
4 (1)
partial explanation – 2 elements
8 (5)
25 (24)
vague explanation
43 (50)
46 (48)
2. If the mirror was not wiped dry, it would clear by itself. What would happen to the water on the mirror?

Prompt: Where would the water go?

water evaporates back into air
20 (17)
47 (45)
3. You’ve probably had the same thing happen to you. You have a shower or bath and then find the mirror all steamed up. What could you do to stop the mirror steaming up?
not marked



4. Why would that work?
   
Reduce moisture in air – dehumidifier; open a door or window; extractor fan:

at least one of these ideas, well explained
14 (13)
36 (31)
one idea without explanation
10 (3)
13 (16)
Heating air so it will hold more moisture – heater, heat lamp:

at least one of these ideas, well explained
1 (1)
3 (0)
one idea without explanation
2 (3)
8 (4)
Preventing moisture reaching mirrorsurface – barrier such as a towel on mirror:

at least one of these ideas, well explained
29 (33)
23 (31)
one idea without explanation
9 (13)
5 (9)
Chemical solution to prevent watercondensing on mirror:

mentioned and explained
0 (0)
3 (0)
mentioned without explanation
3 (1)
3 (3)
Reducing moisture in air by having colder shower:

mentioned and explained
3 (7)
6 (3)
mentioned without explanation
5 (5)
3 (7)
 
Total score:


6–13
0 (1)
9 (4)
4–5
15 (19)
38 (39)
2–3
49 (43)
38 (45)
0–1
36 (37)
15 (12)
Commentary
This widely observed phenomenon was not well explained. About 30 percent more year 8 than year 4 students scored 4 or above. There was very little change, at either year level, between 1999 and 2003.
 
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