Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026
05:56
Construction of a Compact Low-Cost Radiation Shield for Air-Temperature Sensors in Ecological Field Studies
Published on: November 6, 2018
Secular change in the variability of temperature.
1The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut 06504.
Summary
New Haven
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Meteorology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Analysis of long-term temperature data is crucial for understanding climate variability.
- Secular changes in temperature patterns can impact regional climate dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate secular changes in temperature variability in New Haven, Connecticut, from 1781 to 1970.
- To examine trends in temperature differences, standard deviations, and persistence over 19 decades.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of mean monthly and seasonal temperatures (January, April, summer, October).
- Calculation of standard deviations (SD) within decades and trends.
- Assessment of correlations between means, SDs, and trend magnitudes.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in the January-July temperature difference was observed.
- The standard deviation of summer temperatures within decades decreased significantly.
- No significant trends were found in the persistence of January temperatures over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests a secular change in temperature variability, particularly a reduction in summer temperature fluctuations.
- The findings contribute to understanding long-term climate shifts in the northeastern United States.
Related Concept Videos
01:16What is Climate?
Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a specific area over an extended period. As the saying goes, “Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.” Climate is influenced by geographic factors, such as latitude, terrain, and proximity to bodies of water.
01:50Global Climate Change
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
02:11Effects of Temperature on Free Energy
The spontaneity of a process depends upon the temperature of the system. Phase transitions, for example, will proceed spontaneously in one direction or the other depending upon the temperature of the substance in question. Likewise, some chemical reactions can also exhibit temperature-dependent spontaneities. To illustrate this concept, the equation relating free energy change to the enthalpy and entropy changes for the process is considered:
02:28Effect of Temperature Change on Reaction Rate
The Arrhenius equation,
01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
Factors may include:
Factors may include:
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...