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Research Question and Hypothesis
Research Question and Hypothesis
How is heat trapped in the atmosphere?
Standards
Standards
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
The foundation for Earth’s global climate systems is the electromagnetic radiation from the sun, as well as its reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems, and this energy’s re-radiation into space. (HS-ESS2-2)(HS-ESS2-4)
Gradual atmospheric changes were due to plants and other organisms that captured carbon dioxide and released oxygen. (HS-ESS2-6),(HS-ESS2-7)
Changes in the atmosphere due to human activity have increased carbon dioxide concentrations and thus affect climate. (HS-ESS2-6),(HS-ESS2-4)
Experimental Design
Experimental Design
Each plastic bottle acts like a greenhouse and traps heat at the surface. The bottle with the black paper will absorb and convert the light to heat very easily. The bottle with the white paper will reflect more of the light and therefore not get as warm. The black paper represents land, plants, and water. The white paper represents clouds, ice, and water that are reflecting the Sun. Students are to compare which bottle will trap the most heat.
Independent variable
Independent variable
Time will be measured in minutes.
Dependent variables
Dependent variables
Temperature will be measured in degree Celsius.
Series
Series
Study the temperature of the bottle (dependent variable) as a function of time (independent variable) at various types of bottle (series).
Constants and Controls
Constants and Controls
Factors held constant are the type and size of bottle, room temperature, and the strength of the lightbulb. The uncovered bottle serves as a control.
Materials
Materials
2 or 3 liter plastic soda bottles (3 bottles per group)
Lamp (100 watt or greater)
One-hole stopper that fits in the mouth of the bottle
1 sheet of black paper and 1 sheet of white paper
Thermometer
Ruler or meter stick
Tape
Procedures
Procedures
Divide the students into groups of 2 to 4 students per group.
Give each group a plastic soda bottle. Take the stopper and insert it into the mouth of the bottle.
Carefully insert the thermometer into the stopper so that it hangs in the middle of the bottle. You might want to use petroleum jelly to help get the thermometer through thestopper without breaking it.
Record the initial temperature of the air in the bottle before turning on the lamp.
Position the bottle so that it is 15 cm from the lamp.
Turn the light on and watch the temperature change. Recordthe temperature in the data table-1. Once the temperature has not changed for approximately 3 minutes record the finaltemperature in the data table-2 thatfollows.
Take the white piece of paper and place it inside second bottle. T Repeat steps 4 to 6 and record.
Take the black piece of paper and place it inside the third bottle. Repeat steps 4 to 6.
Sample data and graphs
Sample data and graphs
Analysis & Conclusions
1. How do the bottles represent Earth?
Each plastic bottle acts like a greenhouse and traps heat at the surface, similar to how the gases on our planet keep Earth warm.
2. Explain the natural greenhouse effect and why it is important to our planet.
Incoming radiation is UV and visible light. 1/3 of this is reflected back into space while the remaining is absorbed by clouds and the surface of the planet. Both become warmer and emit infrared radiation. Much of this is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; the remainder is emitted into space. As the greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, they warm and emit infrared radiation, with much of it going back toward Earth. The greater the concentration of greenhouse gases, the more infrared radiation is absorbed and emitted back toward Earth.
3. Why did the lab have you cover the bottle with white and black paper? What does this represent?
The bottle with the black paper will absorb and convert the light to heat very easily. The bottle with the white paper will reflect more of the light and therefore not get as warm. The black paper represents land, plants, and water. The white paper represents clouds, ice, and water that are reflecting the Sun.
4. List all the chemicals that have been linked to climate change, both natural and anthropogenic.
Volcanic eruptions, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.
5. How is global warming affecting the environment?
Polar ice caps, Greenland, Antarctica, glaciers, and permafrost are all melting. Sea levels are rising, heat waves are more frequent, precipitation patterns are changing, storms are increasing in intensity, and ocean currents may shift. Wild plants and animals can be harmed because climates may not be hospitable for them.
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