What Is Wet Bulb Temperature?
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Provided by: TKSST|Published on: October 10, 2023
Articles/WebsitesScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video and subsequent article examine the nature of wet bulb temperature, the geographical areas that have dealt with recent wet bulb threshold-crossing events, how dry regions like California's Death Valley and humid regions like Florida are impacted differently by high temperatures and what can be done to decrease the occurrence of these events.
- Students will learn that humidity is an important aspect of wet bulb temperature, Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula are especially susceptible to high wet bulb temperatures, and successfully halting climate change is the path towards less events above the wet bulb threshold.
Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, Health
Authors: TKSST, Grist
Region: Asia, Middle East, North America, USA - West, USA - South, United States, Global, California, Florida
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video is well-produced and filled with useful animations.
- The article features a great quote from Sir David Attenborough.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students need to know what humidity is.
- It may be beneficial if students already know what greenhouse gases are, how humans emit them, and how they impact the planet.
Differentiation
- Students can watch the video at home to prepare for an in-class discussion on what regions in the United States are most susceptible to higher wet bulb temperatures.
- This resource can accompany a brainstorming session where students consider different methods of pressuring lawmakers to address climate change.
- This resource can support a classroom discussion on how students can stay safe if their community is experiencing wet bulb temperatures above the safe threshold.
- This resource can enhance a lesson on how climate change impacts human health on a global scale.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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