An example of data logging
This experiment determines the rate at which water cools down from boiling point.
- A temperature A device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal to be read and interpreted. is placed in the liquid.
- The sensor is connected to an interface box linked to the computer.
- The The act of periodically recording data.The programs, applications and data in a computer system. Any parts of a computer system that aren't physical. is set to take readings every 30 seconds (time interval) for 25 minutes (logging period).
An experiment to record water cooling
The data logging software will typically store the readings in a table. The data can later be analysed using graph tools.
Cooling curve - an example of a graph created by data logging
A graph which could be used in this experiment is a cooling curve graph. This graph would have time running along the X axis and temperature along the Y axis. A curve would be drawn to represent the rate at which the water cooled.