Last Name _____________________________
First Name_____________________________
Date________________________ Period_____
Temperature Inversions and Urban Air Pollution
Activity 1: What is density and how does temperature affect it?
For each row, circle which cube would rise or sink.
Density = ______
Density = ______
Density = ______
Density =
Density =
______
______
Density =
______
Last Name _____________________________
First Name_____________________________
Date________________________ Period_____
Activity 2: What is an inversion and how does it affect pollution?
Label the temperature layers in a normal atmosphere and an inversion. Draw how air
molecules from the ground travel through the atmosphere.
.
.
Activity 3: How does the atmosphere naturally break inversions?
The atmosphere naturally breaks inversions by:



Last Name _____________________________
First Name_____________________________
Date________________________ Period_____
Simulating a Temperature Inversion and Urban Air Pollution
Question: What will happen when less dense water sits on top of denser water? What happens when
denser water sits on top of less dense water?
Hypothesis: If denser water sits on top of less dense water, then the water will
More Dense
______________________________________________________________________________
Less Dense
______________________________________________________________________________
Hypothesis: If less dense water sits on top of denser water, then the water will
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Material List:
(2) 250 mL beakers
(1) 150 mL
Water
Salt
Spoon
Funnel
Plastic Tubing
Red Dye
Less Dense
More Dense
Blue Dye
Plastic Dropper
Marker
Procedure:
1. Label the two 250mL beakers as “Normal” and “Inversion”
NORMAL BEAKER INSTRUCTIONS
1. Measure 100 mL of water in “Normal beaker” beaker and stir in one teaspoon of salt until salt is completely
dissolved. This simulates cold air.
2. Measure 100 mL of water in the 150mL beaker. Put three drops of red dye in the beaker and stir. This
simulates warm air.
3. Carefully insert the tubing into the “Normal” beaker so the tubing touches the bottom of the beaker.
4. Place one end of the beaker over the funnel and tilt slightly until water begins to pour. Pour slowly and
carefully, avoiding bubbles. If bubbles arise, pour slower. Remove funnel carefully.
INVERSION BEAKER INSTRUCTIONS
1. Measure 100 mL of water “Inversion” beaker. This simulates warm air.
2. Measure 100 mL of water in the 150 mL beaker and stir in one teaspoon of salt until salt is completely
dissolved. Put three drops of blue dye with the plastic dropper. This simulates cold air.
3. Carefully insert the tubing into the “Inversion” beaker so the tubing touches the bottom of the beaker.
4. Place one end of the beaker over the funnel and tilt slightly until water begins to pour. Pour slowly and
carefully, avoiding bubbles. If bubbles arise, pour slower.
5. After all water is poured, record observations.
Normal Beaker
I see…
Inversion Beaker
I see…
Last Name _____________________________
First Name_____________________________
Date________________________ Period_____
6. Put red dye in a plastic dropper. Put the opening of the dropper at the water surface of the beaker labeled
“Inversion” and insert three drops.
7. Record observations.
Normal Beaker
Inversion Beaker
Draw a picture of your Normal
I see…
I see…
Beaker
Explain your observations…
Explain your observations…
Draw a picture of your Inversion
Beaker
Questions:
1. Draw and color a picture of your inversion beaker and label the hot and cold air.
2. How does an inversion make pollution worse?
3. Among your group, discuss ways to reduce pollution. After discussing, write down the top three answers.