Make a Livable Planet by Adding Atmosphere, Water, and Clouds
Activity Guide Answer Key
Instructions:
1. Type the http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxfest/ into the URL.
2. Click the “Make a Planet” icon.
3. Ignore the instructions on the screen (you have a chance at that later).
4. Complete the following procedure to complete the mission.
Mission Objective:
Make a planet with the ideal mixture of atmosphere, water, and clouds to insulate the planet to maintain a surface
temperature of about 15⁰C.
Introduction:
Planet Simulator
1. Locate the big brown circle - this is a planet without water and air.
2. Locate the red column (on right) with the icons labeled Water, Atmosphere, and Clouds.
3. Locate the Planet surface temperature gauge in the bottom left of the screen – This will change as the atmosphere is
developed (remember to use the Celsius scale (⁰C)).
4. The temperature starts at -18.3⁰C (that is negative 18.3⁰C).
5. Ignore the million years timer for now.
6. Click on the Water icon – The water icon now appears to the left and water appears on the planet. Notice the surface
temperature has changed.
7. Click on the Water icon on the left – This removes water and the temperature changes back.
Procedure:
1. Record the Surface temperature without water or air on the data table.
2. Click the water icon and count the number of clicks to reach as close to 15⁰C without going over.
3. Record the number of clicks on the data table and enter observations.
4. Remove all the water from the planet by clicking the icons on the left.
5. Click the Atmosphere icon and count the number of click to reach as close to 15⁰C without going over.
6. Record the number of clicks on the data table and enter observations.
7. Remove atmospheres until there are 4 atmospheres left on the planet and add 5 Water icons. Record the
temperature with 5 water and 4 atmosphere icons.
8. Add three clouds.
9. Record the temperature and enter observations.
Collect Data: Use Science Journal to record data. Copy the data and record information by following the procedure.
Initial Temperature
-18.3⁰C
Number of Water Clicks
25 to 27
Observations of temperature as water is added
The temperature increases
Number of Atmosphere Clicks
Observations of temperature as Atmosphere is added
7-8
The temperature increases
Temperature at 5 Water & 4 Atmosphere No clouds
Temperature at 5 Water & 4 Atmosphere 3 clouds
Observation of temperatures with clouds
4.1⁰C
-5.4⁰C
The temperature decreases
Questions:
1. Why do you think the surface temperature planet is so cold without water and air?
(All of the energy absorbed by the planet will be released back into space as infrared (heat) radiation)
2. What can you infer about air and water and its effect on a planet’s temperature?
(It warms the planet)
3. What affect did clouds have on the temperature? Infer why this happened.
(Clouds cool the planet because they reflect radiation before it reaches Earth).
4. Based on this information, what do you think the atmosphere does to protect life on Earth?
(The atmosphere keeps the planet warm enough to support life)
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