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Thinking About The Question

How do I mix water in a fish tank to adjust the temperature?

Think about the two situations below.

A cold mountain stream flows into a large, warm lake. What effect does the cold mountain stream have on the temperature of the lake? Discuss this question with your team and write down your answers.

A pet store manager adds a liter of cold water to a warm 50 liter fish tank, to replenish the water supply. What effect does the added water have on the temperature of the tank water? Discuss this question with your team and write down your answers.

In both cases, the temperature affects the fish and other underwater plants and animals. Which situation do you think would be more difficult to investigate, and why? Put a mark in the check box of the more difficult situation, and describe your reasons below.

Mountain stream

Fish Tank

In scientific investigation, it's often good to start with simpler situations. You are going to start with mixing two cups of water at different temperatures. This is like the fish tank example above. Can you think of at least two other situations like this? Discuss this question with your team and write down your answers.