Bark+Color

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Problem Scenario:
I chose this question because it does not only show which trees will stay warmer but which will have a better chance surviving through winter and living longer and growing earlier.

Broad Question:
Do lighter or darker trees stay warmer?

Specific: Question:
Does the color of the bark effect the temperature of the tree in the climate given?

Hypothesis:
I hypothesize that the darker tree will stay warmer in the weather since darker colors absorb the sun more.

Variables

 * temperatures || dependant ||
 * color of the bark || independent ||
 * always measuring on south side of the tree || control ||
 * showing the same amount of light and time at night || control ||
 * find a nice healthy spot on tree to measure || control ||
 * test on different types of trees || control ||
 * measure the temperature of the air each time in the day || control ||

General Plan:
I will take my tools out almost everyday to find trees and measure the color, temperature, the air temp, and I will test it on as many trees as possible! then I will take all of my data and get averages and base my question off of the averages and thats what I will show in my project.

Potential Problems And Solutions:
not finding good trees to test solution, : go to different locations equipment for testing breaks, solution: try to get new equipment

Safety Or Environmental Concerns:
trees I test dont stay healthy throughout the whole experiment weather changes too much

**Experimental Design**

What is your experimental unit?
many trees as possible, the air temperature, bark temperature and color. on the south side.

Number Of Trials:
I will repeat it as many times on different trees as possible!

Number Of Subjects In Each trial:
I will test each tree only once the temperature of the air each time I measure the tree and I will measure bark of each tree a few times. always measure on south side.

Number of Observations:
I will observe the temperature of bark, air, and always on the south side on a healthy spot.

When data will be collected
I will start recording my data once I get my equipment ready so probably by febuary 2 through t.b.d

Where will data be collected?:
I will be collecting my data right in my area on as many trees as I can find. also in maine. (add the correct headings from the experimental design page before beginning)

Resources and Budget Table

 * Item || Number needed || Where I will get this || Cost ||
 * flags to mark trees || 1 || home depot || t.b.d ||
 * equipment to measure bark || 1 || from mr. biche || $0.00 ||
 * paper to record data || 5 pieces || home || $0.00 ||
 * pencil to write data || 1 || home || $0.00 ||
 * compass || 1 || home || $0.00 ||
 * posterboard || 1 || home || $0.00 ||

Detailed Procedure:
1. I will take my equipment out to the trees, I will find the trees by finding the south side with a compass. 2. Then I will look for a tree in an open space and find healthy spots on trees to measure. I will find the healthy spot by looking for a spot with no knot or a place that gets a good amount of sun. 3. I will measure the tree bark by using the infrared temperature sensor. I will use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the air. Also I will record my data by writing it down on paper. 4. I will find the different types of trees and identify them also. 5. When I measure at night I will flash a light on it for about 10 seconds and record that. I will measure at in the day when the sun is highest in the sky and gives off more heat.

Photo List
lightest and darkest tree I find to compare by picture me measuring trees different types of trees I measure equipment I use to measure

Time Line
Procedure, timeline, photo list complete - 2-1-13 Begin experiments no later than - 2-4-13 Experiments done - 3-1-13 Analysis - 3-7-13 Discussion/back round - 3-15-13 Wiki Complete - 3-15-13 Posters complete 3-22-13 KMS fair 3-29-13

**Data Table**
 * temperature || reflections ||

All Raw Data

 * subject || reflections || bark temp || air temp (Celsius) || time || light or dark ||
 * A || 9797 || 13 || 15.1 || 3:00 || light ||
 * B || 2832 || 15 || 16.4 || 3:12 || dark ||
 * C || 6804 || 20 || 13.3 || 3:14 || dark ||
 * D || 9287 || 21 || 12.2 || 3:16 || light ||
 * E || 11424 || 18 || 12 || 3:18 || dark ||
 * F || 1625 || 6 || 9.9 || 3:21 || light ||
 * G || 5629 || 4 || 9.6 || 3:24 || light ||
 * H || 8513 || 7 || 7.6 || 3:27 || light ||

Results
The Results of this experiment after I had done the testing show that there is not much of a difference between lighter and darker barks. The darker bark reflected more which was a huge surprise and was warmer, while the lighter bark was less reflective but colder. I concluded that the shade does not make much of a difference in the temperature of the bark, however it made a slight difference in the reflection

Conclusion
After concluding my science fair project testing, I came to the conclusion that there is a very slim difference in light reflections and bark temp. I hypothesized that the darker bark would be warmer since darker colors absorb the sun more, although I had it part right there was not much of a difference as seen in the results. Which was very shocking to me to solve that since I thought for sure my hypothesis was right. This concludes that the shade of the bark is not much of a variable in the temperature of the bark. based on what i have explained, I reject my hypothesis.

Discussion
While going through my expieriment I realized it would have been better if I tested more trees and found more open areas. Also if I found more variety's of trees it would have helped. My variables do not change eachother since they do not depend on eachother very much. My expieriment was pretty tough to test. The equipment was tough to work with but in the end worked out and gave me the results I needed to conclude my project.

Benefit to Community and/or Science
This experiment benefits to science and the community because for science i introduced a new question and gave a insight to a new way to look at trees i gave more knowledge. For the community I showed which trees will likely live longer stay they stay warmer and healthier in winter time and so on.

Abstract
In the project I tested to find if lighter or darker trees stay warmer. While doing the experiment I found radical changes in the numbers I recieved and was very surprised. In the end I came to the conclusion that there is not much of a difference at all in the relationships with light reflections and bark temperature.