EXERCISE 56 



WHAT EFFECT DOES LAKE MICHIGAN HAVE UPON THE TEMPERATURE OF 



PLACES NEAR IT? 



Materials. Cross-section paper; the data given on pages 138 and 142, "Elements of General 

 Science." 



Directions. Note the relative location of Madison (Wisconsin), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), and 

 Grand Haven (Michigan) as shown on the map, p. 142 in the text, in order to understand why 

 they are appropriate places for this study. 



Compare first the figures given in the table for the coldest month (January) and for the warmest 

 month (July). Which city is warmest in winter ? Which is coldest ? Which is hottest and which 

 coolest in summer ? Which place, therefore, has the greatest extremes and which is most equable ? 

 Study the data for the other ten months also, and find for yourself the answer to each of the 

 following questions: 



a. How are the average winter temperatures of the three places related (that is, which is highest, 

 intermediate, and lowest) ? 



b. How are the temperatures related in summer ? 



c. What is the difference between summer and winter temperatures at Grand Haven ? at 

 Madison ? 



d. Could Lake Michigan be responsible for this difference ? 



e. Write a statement of what appear to be the effects of the lake on temperature. 

 Your notes should include a clear statement of the subject matter of each question. 



If the school is located near a large body of water, local data should be used in this exercise 

 instead of those cited above. 



The temperature relations discussed above will be seen more clearly if they are represented 

 graphically. To do this, use a piece of paper which has been prepared as follows: On a piece of 

 cross-section paper number the horizontal lines to correspond with the graduation of a Fahrenheit 

 thermometer scale, placing the figures in the left-hand margin. Label twelve of the heavy vertical 

 lines with the names of the months. Secure from the table the mean temperature for January at 

 Madison (16.9). Place a dot on the January line at a height to correspond with 16.9 on the 

 thermometer scale at the left. In like manner represent the temperature at Madison for each of 

 the twelve months. Connect these dots with a continuous line. Do the same for Milwaukee and 

 for Grand Haven, using a different color for each. 



Additional problem. Compare the temperatures at a given point in California, and at points in approxi- 

 mately the same latitude in the Rocky Mountain region, Central States region, and Atlantic Coast region. 



f80] 



