Greenhouse effect investigation

Title: A Simple Experiment to Understand the Greenhouse Effect

Objective: To observe and understand the greenhouse effect through a simple and safe experiment.

Materials Needed:

1. Two clear glass jars of the same size
2. Two thermometers
3. Some plastic wrap
4. A source of light (a lamp or sunlight)

Procedure:

1. Place a thermometer inside each of the two jars. Make sure the thermometer is visible and readable from the outside of the jar.
2. Cover the opening of one jar with the plastic wrap, ensuring it is sealed tightly. This jar represents Earth’s atmosphere with the greenhouse effect. The other jar remains uncovered, representing an atmosphere without the greenhouse effect.
3. Place both jars under the light source, ensuring they receive the same amount of light. The light source represents the sun, providing heat and light.
4. Record the initial temperature in both jars before turning on the light source.
5. Turn on the light source and let it shine on the jars for about 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, record the final temperature in both jars.
7. Compare the final temperatures of the two jars.

Observation:

You will likely observe that the temperature in the jar covered with plastic wrap (representing the greenhouse effect) is higher than the temperature in the uncovered jar. This is because the plastic wrap, acting like greenhouse gases, traps some of the heat from the light source, preventing it from escaping, and thus warming the inside of the jar.

Conclusion:

This experiment demonstrates the basic principle of the greenhouse effect. Just like the plastic wrap in the jar, greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space, and causing the planet to warm. This experiment helps us understand how the natural greenhouse effect makes life possible on Earth, and how human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations can enhance the greenhouse effect and contribute to global warming.

Remember, this is a simplified model of the greenhouse effect. The actual process involves a complex interaction of sunlight, greenhouse gases, and Earth’s surface and atmosphere.

Safety Note:

This experiment involves the use of a light source that can become hot. Always be careful when handling potentially hot objects. Always perform this experiment under the supervision of an adult.