1. Your Hypothesis: The short ice cube (shape 1) will melt faster than the long cylinder (shape 2)
2. Was there a difference in the rates at which each shape melted?
On average, MOLD#1 melted at the rate of 1ml every 5½ while MOLD#2 melted at the rate of 1ml every 3½ minutes. Evidently, there was a difference in the rates at which the two shapes melted.
3. Which shape was better at conserving its temperature? (i.e. Which shape remained frozen, at least in part, longest).
The shape in MOLD#1 was better at conserving its temperature as it remained frozen for the longest period of time.
4. What does this experiment suggest about the Bergmann’s/Allen’s rules? How does the difference in surface area to mass ratio relate to these concepts?
The experiment proves the legitimacy and correctness about Bergmann’s and Allen rules where lower surface area to volume ratio leads to less loss of heat hence stockier people around cold regions in the arctic compared to the lean and tall in the tropic regions. The surface area to volume ratio relates to these concepts in that it determines the rate of loss of heat, hence adaptability to different climatic conditions.
5. Was your hypothesis supported?
My hypothesis was not supported. The long cylinder (MOLD#2) melted faster while I had hypothesized that the short cylinder (MOLD#1) would melt faster.
6. Select a type of non-human animal that lives in nature and have representative species spanning the planet from the arctic and equator (i.e. Rabbits, horse type animals, cat type animals and dog type animals…).
Conduct an internet search for pictures of a type of animal from various regions (warmer and colder). Provide at least 3 pictures these different forms of these animals from various regions of the world that follow the principles demonstrated in this lab. Discuss how these animals have adapted to their environments (consider body shape, leg proportion, torso proportion…).
From the above images, the animals in the arctic region have shorter limbs and stockier bodies compared to those in the tropic and other warmer regions which exhibit leaner and longer bodies. The differences are adaptations of the different animals to their climates in attempts to conserve for the arctic animals and lose energy for the warmer climate animals.
