VERNIER SCIENCE: THE GREENHOUSE EFFECTShaw STEM Lab 2015

THINGS YOU’LL LEARN

How to measure temperatures as a model greenhouse and a control are heated

How to determine the temperature change for two containers

How to use the result to make conclusions about the greenhouse effect

What greenhouse gases are How greenhouse gases change a planets temperature How to use LoggerPro

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Greenhouses allow gardeners to grow plants in cold weather. This is because a greenhouse stays warmer than the outside air. You can feel this effect in a car parked in the sun.

On a larger scale, the greenhouse effect helps keep our planet warm. It makes Venus one of the hottest planets in our school system.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In this experiment, you will use Temperature Probes to measure temperatures in a model greenhouse and in a control as they are heated.

You will then calculate the resulting temperature changes.

RESEARCH

Look up and define the following: Variable (in terms of science experiments) Control (in terms of science experiments) Greenhouse gases

THINGS YOU’LL NEED

Check out the Greenhouse Effect Kit, it should contain the following: 2 Temperature Probes 2 Rulers Two 600 mL beakers

You’ll also need Tape Desk Lamp Plastic Wrap

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 1

Tape Temperature Probe 1 and Temperature Probe 2 each to a ruler as shown. The probe tips should be 3 cm from the ruler ends and the tape should not cover the probe tips.

Connect the temperature probes-as shown on the next slide. Start the Vernier data-collection program and open the file “03 The Greenhouse Effect” from the Middle School Science with Vernier folder.

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 1

Connecting the Temperature Probes to the LabQuest Mini

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 1

Preparing the two beakers for data collection Place a layer of soil (from outside) 1 cm deep in each beaker Place the temperature probes into the beakers as shown Cover the beaker containing probe 1 tightly with plastic wrap.

Beaker 1 is your model greenhouse and Beaker 2 is the control. Position a lamp bulb the same distance from both beakers. The bulb

should be about 5 cm above the tabletop and the same distance from the two probe tips.

Click to begin data collection. Turn on the lamp. Data collection will stop after 15 minutes.

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 1

When data collection stops, turn the lamp off. Click the Statistics Button, , then click to display a Statistics box for each probe. Record the minimum and maximum temperature for each probe.

Create and fill in a table similar to the one shown below.Probe 1Model

greenhouse

Probe 2Control

Maximum Temp.

Minimum Temp.

Temp. Change

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 1

Describe the results of your experiment. Did the model greenhouse warm faster or slower than the

control? What do you think caused the difference? Explain why a closed automobile heats up in the sun. Describe one advantage of using a greenhouse for

growing plants. Why might the greenhouse effect be a problem on earth?

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 2

Repeat the experiment using the sun as the light source. You may need to check out the portable LabQuest Be sure to create a new data table

DO IT & RESEARCH: PART 2

Describe the results of your experiment. Did the model greenhouse warm faster or slower than the

control? What do you think caused the difference?