Greenhouse effect simulation

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=The_Greenhouse_Effect

Extra Credit Opportunity (5 points in the homework category for a thoughtful 1.5 page discussion of how the program simulates global warming and the results of your experimentation)

Play around with the simulation. I suggest you uncheck the box to show all photons as this will simplify the display.

First experiment with using glass panes instead of greenhouse gases.
Note what the red and yellow dots represent and what happens to the yellow photons when they strike the panes from above and below and what happens to the red photons when they strike the panes from below. Note how as you add more and more panes, new equilibrium temperatures are established. How do the temperatures relate to the number of glass panes?

Next experiment with the different levels of greenhouse gases and different amounts of clouds. How does the simulation show greenhouse gases being related to temperature? What do greenhouse gas levels similar to the ice ages or pre industrial revolution (in 1700s) do to the temperature? What happens if you set the levels at their maximum or minimum?

If you're doing this for extra credit, you need to turn in a written reflection on the results of your experimenting. It should be about a page and a half. It should focus on how the simulation shows the greenhouse effect and how the temperature depends on the levels of the gases. It can also include your reflections on a number of other things too such as your questions or your thoughts about the accuracy of the model and the pros, cons and inherent limitations of a model of this sort.

first reading on global warming

The Greenhouse Effect - Reading

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Climate Change - Unit 7

Unit 7 - Climate Change
Goals:
1. Show a basic understanding of the greenhouse effect and its role in climate change including:
naming the most important greenhouse gases and their major sources;
describing the absorption, reflection of emission of EM radiation in the atmosphere and the earth’s surface;
describing historical trends in CO2 levels and global temperatures;
describing major predicted and realized consequences of climate change.
2. Describe the development of scientific consensus around climate change,
including the sources for relevant data, the use of computer models and the role of nonconsensus points of view.
3. Compare and contrast varying solutions to climate change that fall into these categories:
Economic/public policy
Technological
Personal choice
4. Write a letter to an elected official or a letter to the editor that:
demonstrates an understanding of the science and evidence of climate change
proposes a set of actions that you might personally take or, for society and/or policy makers to take
demonstrates a thoughtful weighing of risks and consequences for that set of actions.

Key Questions
What is the greenhouse effect and how does it relate to global warming?
What are the current and future impacts and effects of climate change?
What are the benefits and drawbacks to the various possible solutions of climate change?
What is our personal, individual responsibility to climate change?
What should government’s role be in addressing climate change?

Homework and Important Dates (assignments are due on the following class day)
4/20
Unit intro. Discuss groups and homework.
Read The Greenhouse Effect, and answer questions. Find one resource on your group’s topic.
4/21
Group collaboration and poster preparation
4/22
Sharing and discussing posters. Computer simulation.
Reinforcing Feedback homework packet.
4/24
Thingamabob game
Write Response to Game.
4/27
Political Solutions to an international problem
Reading on either carbon taxes, cap and trade systems or the Kyoto Protocol.
4/28
Share out in groups about readings.
4/30
Wedge stabilization activity
5/1
Present solutions to Wedge activity
Write Response to wedge activity
5/4
IQ^2 podcast
5/5
5/6
Letter to editor due Friday 5/8