The Greenhouse Effect

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Data Table 1

The Atmosphere ….	Greenhouse Gas Composition (in ppm)	Equilibrium Atmospheric Temperature (in °F)
	H2O (water vapor)	CO2 (carbon dioxide)	CH4 (methane)	N2O (nitrous oxide)
With NO Greenhouse Gases	0	0	0	0	Click here to enter text.
Today	70% Relative Humidity	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.
Ice Age	?	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.

Data Table 2

Concentration of Greenhouse Gases (in ppm)	Number of Clouds	Equilibrium Atmospheric Temperature (in °F)
0	0	Click here to enter text.
0	3	Click here to enter text.

Data Table 3

Number of Glass Panes	Equilibrium Atmospheric Temperature (in °F)
0	Click here to enter text.
1	Click here to enter text.

Data Table 4

Gas Molecule	# of Infrared Photons Absorbed (out of 20)	# of Visible Photons Absorbed (out of 20)
	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3	Average # of Infrared Photons Absorbed	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3	Average # of Visible Photons Absorbed
CH4 (methane)	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.
CO2 (carbon dioxide)	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.
H2O (water vapor)	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.
N2 (nitrogen)	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.
O2 (oxygen)	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.	Click here to enter text.

Questions

For multiple choice and fill in the blank questions, type the letter of your chosen answer into the space provided below the question. For short answer questions, type your answer in the space provided below the question.

Note that there are THREE PAGES OF QUESTIONS below. Each multiple choice question is worth 3 points and each short answer question is worth 4 points.

Experiment 1

1. In 2 or 3 sentences in the space below, compare the direction of the paths of sunlight and infrared photons in the simulation. Include also how the paths of infrared photons change when greenhouse gases are present in the atmosphere compared to when they are not.

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2. When an atmosphere with NO greenhouse gases is simulated, the atmosphere’s temperature is _____________ compared to a simulation for an atmosphere with greenhouse gases.

a. higher b. lower

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3. During the Ice Age simulation, the atmosphere had a _______ concentration of greenhouse gases than today’s atmosphere, resulting in a ________ temperature during the Ice Age compared to today.

a. smaller; greater b. smaller; lower c. greater; greater d. greater; lower

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4. Based on your observations and the data collected in experiment 1, in one or two statements in the space below, describe the general effect of greenhouse gases, and the effect of a change in greenhouse gas concentration, on atmospheric temperature. Phrase the statements in a way that you would explain the concept to one of your classmates.

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Experiment 2

1. In experiment 2, adding clouds to the atmosphere caused atmospheric temperature to:

a. Increase b. decrease

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2. Based on the results of experiment 2, which statement below describes the effect of clouds on incoming solar radiation ?

a. Clouds reflect some solar radiation back to space.

b. Clouds allow some solar radiation to pass through to the ground.

c. Clouds have no effect on incoming solar radiation.

d. both a and b

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3. Based on the results of experiment 2, which statement below describes the effect of clouds on infrared radiation ?

a. Clouds absorb some of the infrared radiation coming from Earth and re-emit it back to the earth.

b. Clouds allow some infrared radiation coming from Earth to escape the atmosphere.

c. Clouds have no effect on infrared radiation.

d. both a and b.

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Experiment 3

1. Based on observations made during experiment 3, in 2 or 3 sentences in the space below, compare the paths of infrared photons when virtual glass panes are in place to when there are no glass panes.

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2. Your car has been parked outside on a cold but sunny day. When you get in the car, it is much warmer than the air outside. In 2 or 3 sentences, explain, based on the results of experiment 3, why this happens. Be sure to tie both solar and infrared radiation into your explanation.

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3. In 2 sentences, explain, based on the results of experiment 3, why the word “greenhouse” correctly describes the effect of gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor in our atmosphere.

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Experiment 4

1. Based solely on the results of Experiment 4, which of the gases used in the experiment are greenhouse gases? In 1 or 2 sentences, explain how this was determined.

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2. Based solely on the results of Experiment 4, of the gases you listed in question 1. above, which gas is the “best” greenhouse gas? In 1 or 2 sentences, explain how this was determined.

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3. In analyzing the data collected for the number of visible photons absorbed for each of the atmospheric gases used in experiment 4, which of the following statements would be a good conclusion?

a. Each of the atmospheric gases used in the experiment is a greenhouse gas.

b. Visible radiation coming directly from the Sun passes right through our atmosphere without being absorbed.

c. All atmospheric gases absorb both visible and infrared radiation with equal preference.

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