Student
MODELING THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Source: Robert Simmons, NASA
NGSSS:
SC.6.E.7.4 Differentiate and show interactions among the geosphere,
hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
SC.6.E.7.9 Describe how the composition and structure of the atmosphere
protects life and insulates the planet.
SC.6.N.1.1 Define a problem from the sixth grade curriculum, use appropriate
reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific
investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments,
identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and
graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
SC.6.N.3.4 Identify the role of models in the context of the sixth grade science
benchmarks.
Background:
The Greenhouse Effect is an increase in the average temperature of our planet.
This occurs when certain gases such as carbon dioxide (C02), methane (CH4),
nitrous oxide (N20), ozone (O3) (in the lower atmosphere), water vapor (H20) and
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs – used in refrigerators and spray cans) absorb infrared
heat that would normally be radiated out into space. One greenhouse gas that has
been increasing in the past 100 years is carbon dioxide. The more carbon dioxide
there is in the atmosphere, the warmer the air will be since carbon dioxide absorbs
heat. If the air gets too hot, the balance of life on Earth is disrupted. Plant and
animal species will die off and which will directly effect the food chain. We also
have a great loss of much needed rainforest that take in carbon dioxide. In addition,
the burning of fossil fuels by cars, factories and plant, which releases carbon
dioxide, is part of the cause leading to global warming which is a serious worldwide
problem.
Problem Statement(s): How does the Greenhouse Effect influence temperature
on Earth?
Student
Vocabulary: atmosphere, climate, Global warming, Greenhouse Effect, insulate,
temperature
Materials (per group):
 2 clear plastic cups
 clear plastic wrap
 2 thermometers
 2 rubber bands
 potting soil
 watch or clock
 lamp with 100 watt light bulb
Procedures:
1.
You and your team will design an experiment that will measure the
different amount of heat retained in a glass jar beneath a heat lamp. This
activity will model how the greenhouse effect influences the
temperatures in our Earth’s atmosphere. You will investigate “How
does the greenhouse effect influence temperature on Earth”.
2.
Using the given materials design and complete an experiment to test
your hypothesis.
3.
Explain how you tested your hypothesis. It should be as specific as
possible. Often, scientists read relevant information pertaining to their
experiment beforehand.
4.
During the investigation, perform the following procedures:
a. Place equal volume of soil in the bottom of each plastic cup.
b. Place the thermometer inside of each container at the same height
relative to the soil. Record the initial temperature in degrees Celsius
(0C)
c. Seal the top of one container with plastic wrap held in place with the
rubber band while leaving the second container open.
d. Place the lamp with the exposed 100-watt bulb between the two
containers. The light bulb should be kept on during the whole
experiment.
e. Record the temperature in each container every 2 minutes for the
next 20 minutes.
f. Construct a multiple line graph with both sets of data on the same
axes (temperature on Y, time on X).
g. Title your experiment written as “the effect of the independent
variable on the dependent variable”.
1. Instruct students to form their hypothesis in the form of an “if-then”
statement.
2. Instruct students to identify the Independent Variable (IV).
3. Instruct students to state the number of trials they will be conducting in
this experiment.
4. Instruct students to identify the Dependent Variable (DV) and state how
Student
they will be measured.
Student
Modeling the Greenhouse Effect Lab/Activity Sheet
Essential Question: How does the Greenhouse Effect influence
temperature on Earth?
1) State your Claim.
2) Identify the evidence.
3) Explain your reasoning.
4) What happened to the temperature of the jar over time?
5) Relate how the set up of the glass jar beneath a heat lamp models the
greenhouse effect on Earth.
6) Identify the test (independent), and outcome (dependent) variables in your
activity.
7) Did you only change one variable?
Identify what you could do to improve this activity.
Students will share their findings from the explore activity. Summarize the results
of your activity. What happened to the temperature of the jar over time?
After discussion, have students complete the following investigation: Have
students write a problem statement and form a hypothesis before testing.
Basically, during this investigation, the students should perform the following procedures:
1. Place equal volume of soil in the bottom of each plastic cup.
2. Place the thermometer inside of each container at the same height relative to the soil.
Record the initial temperature in degrees Celsius (0C)
3. Seal the top of one container with plastic wrap held in place with the rubber band
while leaving the second container open.
4. Place the lamp with the exposed 100 watt bulb between the two containers. The light
bulb should be kept on during the whole experiment.
Student
5. Record the temperature in each container every 2 minutes for the next 20 minutes.
6. Construct a multiple line graph with both sets of data on the same axes
(temperature on Y, time on X)
Observations/Data:
Data Table: Changes in Temperature (Sample Data from Period 5)
Time
(min)
0
2
Temperature in open Temperature in sealed
container (0C)
container (0C)
240C
250C
240C
270C
4
250C
300C
6
260C
330C
8
270C
350C
10
280C
360C
12
300C
380C
14
300C
390C
16
310C
400C
18
320C
410C
20
330C
410C
Results/Conclusion:
1. Interpret the graph and identify a trend for the change in temperature for each
container during the experiment. Did both jars show the same change in temperature?
Calculate the change in temperature for each jar.
2. Did your results support your hypothesis?
3. Explain why the temperature of the covered jar showed an increase in temperature.
What part of this setup contributed to the increase in temperature?
4. Explain how the covered jar setup represents an experimental model of the influences
of the greenhouse effect on the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. Identify what
the light bulb and plastic wrap represent in this experimental model.
5. Identify the test (independent), outcome (dependent) and controlled variables in this
experiment.
6. In this experiment we only tested each setup one time (20 minute interval); explain
why this will affect the validity of the data. How can we change this experiment so
the data will be more valid?
7. Based on what you learned in this activity, can you connect this knowledge to the
environmental issue of the dangers of the greenhouse effect? Explain
8. Think about what humans do that increases the amount of greenhouse gases released
into the atmosphere and develop a list of ways that we can reduce the level of these
gases.
9. How does the set-up model the greenhouse effect?
Student
Example Line Graph #6 from the procedures page: