Experiment to Show the Greenhouse Effect
Materials wide mouth glass jar, 2 pieces of white cardboard, 2 identical thermometers and 1 piece of
black
construction paper.
Steps
1.
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Attach the thermometers to the white cardboard using transparent tape. Label one thermometer A and the other B.
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2.
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Line the bottom of jar with black construction paper as shown in the diagram below.
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3.
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Place thermometer A in the jar.
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4.
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Place the jar in front of a sunny window for 30 minutes. Turn the jar so that the thermometer does not face directly into the sun.
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5.
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Place thermometer B in front of the window for the same time period. Make sure that it does not face direct sunlight.
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Observations
The temperature on thermo-
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The temperature on thermo-
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meter A is _____________.
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meter B is ___________.
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(figure available in print form)
____
____
The temperature reading on thermometer A is ________.
____
____
Does the temperature increase or decrease? Touch the jar. How does it feel?
The temperature of thermometer B placed in front of the window is
___________
.
Which thermometer has a higher temperature?
____________
.
Allow students to record temperatures every ten minutes for 30 minutes. (See data table below).
DATA TABLE
Time
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Temperature Inside
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Temperature Outside
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Jar(Greenhouse)
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Jar(Greenhouse)
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00:00
00:10
00:20
00:30
Briefly answer the following questions:
1.
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Identify the a)control and b)experimental part of this experiment.
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2.
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Name the atmospheric gases which trap heat and act in the same way as the glass jar.
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3.
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Relate this experiment to the earth’s greenhouse effect.
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4.
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What changes can occur in the world as a result of the greenhouse effect?
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5.
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List two ways people can help stop ‘global warming’ to occur.
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