Name: ________________________
Date:__________________
Environmental Science: Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect Lab Activity
(Ward’s)
Background Information:
The Greenhouse Effect refers to a rise in global temperature caused by an
accumulation of gases in the atmosphere that “trap” the sun’s heat and
prevent it from dissipating back into space. Greenhouse gases have a
molecular structure that allows solar radiation to pass through the
atmosphere to the Earth’s surface; these gases are more efficient at
absorbing the infrared wavelengths that would otherwise radiate back into
the atmosphere. So as greenhouse gases accumulate, global temperatures
rise due to the increased amount of infrared energy trapped in the lower
atmosphere.
The two most abundant greenhouse gases –carbon dioxide and methane—
have been integral components of the atmosphere for billions of years.
Other greenhouse gases, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are synthetic in origin,
by-products from the manufacture of chemicals used in refrigeration,
aerosol cans, and plastics.
Materials Required:
- transparent plastic container with lid (“greenhouse”)
- lab thermometer
- plastic vial or stand for thermometer
- black sand
- white sand
- clamp lamp
- support stand
- spray bottle with water
Procedure:
(EXPOSED TO LIGHT) DARK SAND
1. Get 1 plastic container and fill the bottom of the container with an
even layer of DARK sand approximately 2 to 3 cm deep.
2. Using the spray bottle, dampen the soil thoroughly with water. DO
NOT OVERSATURATE IT.
3. Place the small plastic vial in the soil as a support stand for the
thermometer as shown in Figure 1 (look at prior page). Lean the bulb
end of the thermometer against the vial so that it is supported above
the surface of the soil, and roughly in the center of the box. Make
sure the thermometer is positioned so readings can be made easily
by viewing through the container.
4. Next, carefully place the transparent plastic lid on the box and snap it
closed.
5. Place your “greenhouse” setup in the setup “lamp station.” Make sure
you place your “greenhouse” in the center so that the light will shine
directly on the thermometer bulb.
6. All the thermometer to stabilize to room temperature and record
value in the Data Table (0 minutes).
7. Turn the lamp on, and record temperature EVERY MINUTE OVER A
15 MINUTE PERIOD on the Data Table.
(NOT EXPOSED TO LIGHT) DARK SAND
1. Get 1 plastic container and fill the bottom of the container with an
even layer of DARK sand approximately 2 to 3 cm deep.
2. Using the spray bottle, dampen the soil thoroughly with water. DO
NOT OVERSATURATE IT.
3. Place the small plastic vial in the soil as a support stand for the
thermometer as shown in Figure 1 (look at prior page). Lean the bulb
end of the thermometer against the vial so that it is supported above
the surface of the soil, and roughly in the center of the box. Make
sure the thermometer is positioned so readings can be made easily
by viewing through the container.
4. Next, carefully place the transparent plastic lid on the box and snap it
closed.
5. Place your “greenhouse” setup in the setup “NONlamp station.” All the
thermometer to stabilize to room temperature and record value in the
Data Table (0 minutes).
6. Record temperature EVERY MINUTE OVER A 15 MINUTE PERIOD on
the Data Table.
Procedure:
(EXPOSED TO LIGHT) LIGHT SAND
1. Get 1 plastic container and fill the bottom of the container with an
even layer of LIGHT sand approximately 2 to 3 cm deep.
2. Using the spray bottle, dampen the soil thoroughly with water. DO
NOT OVERSATURATE IT.
3. Place the small plastic vial in the soil as a support stand for the
thermometer as shown in Figure 1 (look at prior page). Lean the bulb
end of the thermometer against the vial so that it is supported above
the surface of the soil, and roughly in the center of the box. Make
sure the thermometer is positioned so readings can be made easily
by viewing through the container.
4. Next, carefully place the transparent plastic lid on the box and snap it
closed.
5. Place your “greenhouse” setup in the setup “lamp station.” Make sure
you place your “greenhouse” in the center so that the light will shine
directly on the thermometer bulb.
6. All the thermometer to stabilize to room temperature and record
value in the Data Table (0 minutes).
7. Turn the lamp on, and record temperature EVERY MINUTE FOR A 15
MINUTE PERIOD on the Data Table.
(NOT EXPOSED TO LIGHT) LIGHT SAND
1. Get 1 plastic container and fill the bottom of the container with an
even layer of LIGHT sand approximately 2 to 3 cm deep.
2. Using the spray bottle, dampen the soil thoroughly with water. DO
NOT OVERSATURATE IT.
3. Place the small plastic vial in the soil as a support stand for the
thermometer as shown in Figure 1 (look at prior page). Lean the bulb
end of the thermometer against the vial so that it is supported above
the surface of the soil, and roughly in the center of the box. Make
sure the thermometer is positioned so readings can be made easily
by viewing through the container.
4. Next, carefully place the transparent plastic lid on the box and snap it
closed.
5. Place your “greenhouse” setup in the setup “NONlamp station.” All the
thermometer to stabilize to room temperature and record value in the
Data Table (0 minutes).
6. Record temperature EVERY MINUTE FOR A 15 MINUTE PERIOD on
the Data Table.
Last Experiment:
As a final exercise, run the experiment one more time, but this time,
snap the lid on the container and then fill the lid with a thin layer (510mm) of water. RUN THE TEST FOR BOTH DARK AND LIGHT
SAND.
GATHER DATA:
Data Table title: ___________________________________________
(Don’t forget units!)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12 13 14 15
minutes min min min min min min min min min min min min min min min
DARK
SOIL
(lamp)
DARK
SOIL
(no
lamp)
LIGHT
SOIL
(lamp)
LIGHT
SOIL
(no
lamp)
WATER
– DARK
SAND
(lamp)
WATER
– DARK
SAND
(no
lamp)
WATER
–
LIGHT
SAND
(lamp)
WATER
–
LIGHT
SAND
(no
lamp)
Analyzing DATA;
1. Get data from other group and graph your data from both
experiments. Complete a LINE GRAPH. Make sure you include ALL
PARTS OF A GRAPH.
2. With the dry lid on the container, did the temperature inside the
container increase more or less than when you performed with the lid
off? Why?
Temperature
Why?
Increase/Decrease
Dark Sand
Light Sand
Water
3. How does this activity and its components model the Greenhouse
Effect on Earth?
4. Did you notice any difference in the temperature readings between
the dark sand and the light-colored sand? How do you explain this?
5. Compare the readings taken from when the water was added to the
lid. Are the temperature readings different? Why or why not?
6. What effect do you think increased cloud cover would have on the
Earth’s temperature?
7. What effect would a significant rise in average global temperature
have on the Earth’s coastlines?
8. List at least three steps that might be taken to help reduce the level
of greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere.