Module 2: Wildfire! A Study of Heat and Oxidation

Supplementary Activity

Objectives

• Calculate probability using proportions
• Predict the path of a forest fire
• Create a graph that shows the path of a forest fire
• Interpret the graphs that are generated
• Draw conclusions of the factors that affect the spread of a forest fire

Materials:

• Graph paper
• Pencils (no pens)
• Six-sided dice

Procedure:

1. What is probability?

2. Select the probability for which the fire will spread. Example: 1-3 = No Fire; 4-6 = Fire

3. Record your probability here __________

4. Calculate your probability as a percentage here:

5. Each square on the graph paper represents a tree. Each tree will burn for one hour.

   Place a “North” marker in the corner of the graph paper (N^). Now place a “ 1 ” in the center of the graph paper. This is the starting point for the fire.

6. Use your die roll to indicate which of the neighboring trees will catch fire. Only roll for trees directly to the North, East, South, and West. Always move in the same direction, either clockwise or counter clockwise. Never roll for trees that are diagonal from a burning tree.

7. Place a “ 2 ” in the same square for each tree that catches fire. Do not simply number the trees, such as 2, 3, 4, 5. Any tree that catches fire receives a “ 2 ”.

   RIGHT 

   	2
   2	1	2
   	2

   WRONG

   	2
   5	1	3
   	4

8. Place a light mark in the square if the tree does not catch fire. It may be necessary to roll for a tree more than once. A tree may catch fire after two or more rolls depending on how many of the neighboring trees are on fire.

9. The fire is two hours old at this point. Now roll your die for each “ 2 ” that has a blank square for a neighbor. Each tree that catches fire now receives a “ 3 ”.

10. Continue rolling until you have a fire that is ten hours old. Observe the pattern.

11. Repeat the procedure for two additional fires.

12. What may have caused the pattern you observed?

13. What factors may affect how a fire spreads?

14. What type(s) of fire did you observe? Explain.

15. Staple your graph papers to this sheet. Turn in your work and return the materials to your teacher.

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