Greenhouse Effect Lab
Problem
What conditions cause the warming of the atmosphere?
Hypothesis
The continuous buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes heat not to be able to escape, therefore increasing the earth’s temperature.
Parts of the Experiment
Independent Variable: amount light
Dependent Variable: temperature
Controlled Variables: amount of baking soda, amount of vinegar, amount of water
Control Group: the jar with water and baking soda
Experimental Group: the jar with vinegar and baking soda
Dependent Variable: temperature
Controlled Variables: amount of baking soda, amount of vinegar, amount of water
Control Group: the jar with water and baking soda
Experimental Group: the jar with vinegar and baking soda
Materials
1 Lamp
2 Thermometers
2 Jars
2 Pieces of Plastic Wrap
2 Rubber Bands
2 - 35 ml of Baking Soda
1 - 75 ml of Vinegar
1 - 75 ml of Water
2 Thermometers
2 Jars
2 Pieces of Plastic Wrap
2 Rubber Bands
2 - 35 ml of Baking Soda
1 - 75 ml of Vinegar
1 - 75 ml of Water
Procedure
1) Container 1
A) Pour 75 ml of water into the container.
B) Add 35 ml of baking soda to the container.
C) Place the thermometer inside the jar.
D) Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the jar and seal it with a rubber band.
E) Shake the jar slightly so the water and baking soda mix.
2) Container 2
A) Pour 75 ml of vinegar into the container.
B) Add 35 ml of baking soda to the container.
C) Place the thermometer inside the jar.
D) Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the jar and seal it with a rubber band.
E) Shake the jar slightly so the vinegar and baking soda mix.
3) Once both containers are filled and seal, place both of the containers under the lamp.
4) Record the temperature of each jar at 2 minute intervals for 10 minutes.
5) Turn off the lamp.
6) While the jars are cooling down, record the temperature of each jar at 2 minute intervals for 10 minutes.
A) Pour 75 ml of water into the container.
B) Add 35 ml of baking soda to the container.
C) Place the thermometer inside the jar.
D) Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the jar and seal it with a rubber band.
E) Shake the jar slightly so the water and baking soda mix.
2) Container 2
A) Pour 75 ml of vinegar into the container.
B) Add 35 ml of baking soda to the container.
C) Place the thermometer inside the jar.
D) Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the jar and seal it with a rubber band.
E) Shake the jar slightly so the vinegar and baking soda mix.
3) Once both containers are filled and seal, place both of the containers under the lamp.
4) Record the temperature of each jar at 2 minute intervals for 10 minutes.
5) Turn off the lamp.
6) While the jars are cooling down, record the temperature of each jar at 2 minute intervals for 10 minutes.
Observations
Before they were placed under the light, the jar containing water and baking soda temperature at the start of the 10 minute period was higher than the other jar. While the jars were under the light, the jars' temperature increased steadily throughout the 10 minute period. By the end of the 10 minute period, the jar with baking soda and vinegar had a 3 degree increase, while the other had a 2 degree increase. When the jars were taken off from under the light, the temperature of the jar containing water and baking soda decreased by 4 degrees in the first 2 minute interval and then remained at that temperature the rest of the 10 minute period. The jar the containing baking soda and vinegar temperature decreased by 1 degree within the first 2 minute interval and remained constant the rest of the 10 minute interval.
Data Table and Graphs
greenhouse_effect_lab.docx | |
File Size: | 33 kb |
File Type: | docx |
General Analysis and Conclusions
Overall, the lab was very well planned and was successful. The experiment proved the hypothesis that as carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere, heat will not be able to escape and this causes the earth's temperature to increase. The results of the experiment were very accurate and displayed that there is a higher increase in temperature with more carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere than if there is little to none present. Also, the results demonstrated that the earth's temperature at night is increased more with higher amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The pollution from cars, fossil fuels, factories, and other pollutants are the main reason greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are accumulating and increasing earth's temperature. As the earth's temperature continues to rise, we are going see more devastating effects such a rise in the sea level, glaciers melting, decreased rainfall, droughts and other harmful effects that could potentially lead to the earth being unsustainable.
"Warmer Earth will have less rain, not more: study." Google News. Google, 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jEBDkiXMdck8qz8nQOQZqBf0VRsA?docId=CNG.a5feb23545baba4827e195f137694d7f.441>.
"Warmer Earth will have less rain, not more: study." Google News. Google, 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jEBDkiXMdck8qz8nQOQZqBf0VRsA?docId=CNG.a5feb23545baba4827e195f137694d7f.441>.