Introduction

Data logger is an instrument that capable of picking up and storing signals from
sensors. For ease of use, they generally have a minimum number of displays and
controls. Their portability enables remote data logging, for example remote data away
from the computer. Data loggers are either fitted with an internal battery that is
rechargeable or use regular alkaline batteries. Some may have external power supplies.
Most data loggers store data in non-volatile memory, which means the data is not going
to lose if the power supply fails.

Data logging is the measurement and recording of physical or electrical

parameters over a period of time. Data logging also can be defined as using an
electronic instrument to take measurement from sensors and storing them for future
use. Common measurements are temperature, pressure, transpiration, current, and
velocity.

Scientific Concept

Transpiration is a process loss of water in the form of water vapor from part of
plant especially leaves but also in stems, flower and roots.

Leaves transpiration occur through stomata.

Transpiration cools plants and enable mass flow of mineral nutrients and water
from roots to shoots.

Problem Statement

To study which condition either present or absent of light will cause the plant
loses water most?
Objective

To determine which condition cause the plant lose water most.

To understand the transpiration phenomenon.

To examine the phenomenon by using data logger.

Data Logger

Engage

During a hot and sunny day, it seems that, sitting under a tree is much cooler
compared to the surrounding that is exposed to sunlight. Why this phenomenon occur?
Explain.
Empower (Planning Experiment)

Diagram 1

Procedure:

1) Done the experiment in the laboratory (presence of light)

2) Set up the apparatus as diagram above.
3) Place the humidity sensor inside the plastic bag and wrapped around a branch of
plant.
4) Set the data logger.
5) Set the data logger and record the result for a few hours.
6) Repeat the experiment by place the plant at different place that are inside the
cupboard (absence of light).
Result:

A) Rate of humidity outside the cupboard.

Table 1 : Rate of humidity outside of the cupboard

 Graph 1 : Rate of humidity outside of the cupboard

B) Rate of humidity inside the cupboard.

Table 1 : Rate of humidity inside of the cupboard

Graph 1 : Rate of humidity inside of the cupboard

PBL (Discussion)

Question:

1. What cause the plastic bag to turn cloudy at the end of the experiment?

2. What triggers the water to be expelled from the plant?

3. Where does the water which has been expelled come from?

4. Which structure in the leaf helps to draw water out?

5. Which structure helps to control the opening and closing of stomata?

Answer:

1) There were water droplets in the bag. The bag may appear cloudy because of
water vapour in the bag.
2) The inner side of the plant is in hot condition. Thus to make it cooler the plant
has to expel the water out from its body.
3) The water comes from the soil. The uptake of water from the soil is via osmosis,
then the water enters neighbouring cell until it reached the pore.

Enhance:

Why it is not advisable to water the

plant during mid-day?

Explain the phenomenon.

Unique Features

Experiment can be
repeated or stopped at
any time as most of the
work is taken over by the
data logger

It can save our The pattern of

time since the temperature and
experiments do Unique humidity changes
Features
not take a long can be observed on
period. the same graph
More than one sensor
can be used
simultaneously (humidity
and temperatures
sensor)

Conclusion

In conclusion, data logger is an electronic device that records data over time or in
relation to location either with a built in instrument or sensor or via external
instruments and sensors. It really gives a lot of advantages. For example
measurements are always taken at the right time in using data logger. Unlike a
human the computer will not forget to take a reading or take a reading too late or
too early. Besides that, mistakes are also not made in reading the results when
using data logger. We can see that humans can make errors, so we need data
logger device to solve problems. For example it is quite easy to misread the
temperature using the scale on a thermometer. Thats why data logger is important
in reading a scale. Data logging devices also can be sent to the places that humans
not easily get to for example to the planet Mars, into the bottom of a volcano, or
onto a roof of a tall building to get to weather station. Graphs and tables of results
can be produced automatically by the data logging software. Data logger device
really make our life beong more easy to handle.
REFERENCE

1. Frost, R. (2003a). The IT in Secondary Science Book. Cambridge : IT in Science

Publishing.
2. Frost, R. (2003b). Data logging in Practice. Cambridge: IT in Science
Publishing.