NRES 809: Module 3

Activity 11.1: People Who Live in Greenhouses Shouldn't throw Stones: Modeling the Greenhouse Effect

This activity is designed to provide the participant with the opportunity to collect data from a model that will provide the framework to understanding the Earth and its so behavior as a greenhouse.

Learning Objectives: In this investigation the participant will:

  1. Measure temperatures
  2. Graph data
  3. Analyze data
  4. Understand the Earth as Greenhouse

Materials:

Two Clear Plastic Bottles 1.5 Cups of Potting Soil
Two Thermometers Tape
Plastic Wrap Rubber band
Light bulb (150 watt) and lamp set up

Online Learners Note:

Because it may be difficult for you as an online learner to conduct the investigation. We will take you through the activity and provide you with a representative data set. See graph at the end of activity.

Set up:

  1. Cut the tops off of 2 clear two-liter soda bottles. Place about one and half cups of potting soil in each bottle. Tape a thermometer inside each bottle such that it is facing outwards (so it can be read). Make sure the bulb of the thermometer is shielded. Cover one bottle with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.
  2. Place the bottles on either side of a bare light bulb, making sure both are an equal distance from the light bulb, about two inches will work.
  3. Record the initial temperature reading on the graph paper that is provided. Both thermometers should read the same temperature initially; if they do not, a temperature adjustment should be made with this first temperature reading and with subsequent reading of the thermometers.

Procedure:

  1. Hypothesize what will happen to the temperatures in each bottle when the light is turned on. Also, explain why you think this might happen.
  2. Switch on the light bulbs and record the temperature inside each bottle on a data table. Record data for at least 10 minutes.
  3. Graph the data.
  4. Describe the data as if the person you are describing it to cannot see the graph.
  5. Provide an explanation for the data.
    1. How does this experiment relate to our atmosphere?
    2. How does this experiment relate to an altered atmosphere?

     

Representative Data Set