Log inSign up for FREE
Library

ECC 1.4

Last updated over 2 years ago
23 questions
Objective and Slides
Testing Changes to the Atmosphere

Objective: KWBAT test changes to the atmosphere in order to observe how they change the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface.
Part 1
Welcome back climatologists! Yesterday you explored the SIM for evidence as to what is causing ice to melt on Earth’s surface. You discovered that when more ice is melting on Earth’s surface, the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface increases. Today we will investigate ideas about what kinds of changes to the atmosphere can affect how much energy is absorbed by Earth’s surface. Now that we know energy is involved in the rising global temperatures and melting ice, we can finally answer the question of: Why is the ice on Earth’s surface melting? To do this we must learn more about our atmosphere and what is in it!

Part 1: Do Now

0

The Earth’s atmosphere is about 480 km (300 miles) thick and surrounds Earth.

What is Earth’s atmosphere made of? If you’re unsure, take your best guess!

0

Why do you think our atmosphere is so important to life on planet Earth?

Part 2

Part 2: How do Greenhouse gasses actually work?

0

What do you already know about greenhouse gasses?

1

Infrared radiation is...

1

Most molecules in the atmosphere are made up of fast-moving liquid molecules.

Part 3

Part 3: Investigation of Changing Gases in Atmosphere

Goal: Use the SIM to investigate the claim about changing gases in our atmosphere.
SIM DIRECTIONS
  1. Open the ECC Simulation and press play, to run it for 20 seconds.
  2. Increase (+) the Carbon Dioxide to 500.
  3. Run the test until the timer reaches 40 seconds.
  4. Observe the temperature, amount of ice, and yellow glow of absorbed energy.
  5. Record your results in the tables below highlighting your answers. Either increase/decrease/no change.
  6. Reset the SIM.
  7. Repeat steps 1-7 but now decrease the Carbon dioxide down to 0.
Record your results, then REPEAT this entire process again for the 3 other remaining gases!

Carbon Dioxide

1
When I INCREASED (+) Carbon Dioxide….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________
1
When I DECREASED (-) Carbon Dioxide….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________

Methane

1
When I INCREASED (+) Methane….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________
1
When I DECREASED (-) Methane….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________

Sulfur Dioxide

1
When I INCREASED (+) Sulfur Dioxide….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________
1
When I DECREASED (-) Sulfur Dioxide….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________

Nitrogen Dioxide

1
When I INCREASED (+) Nitrogen Dioxide….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________
1
When I DECREASED (-) Nitrogen Dioxide….
  • energy absorbed by the surface: __________
  • temperature: __________
  • the amount of ice: __________
0

Synthesize: Based on your data, do all gases have the same effect on the amount of energy absorbed by earth’s surface?

1
Investigation Claim: A change to any gas in the atmosphere affects energy absorbed by the surface in the same way.

I __________ with the investigation claim. After completing the 4 gas trials in the SIM, I found that all gases __________affect the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface in the same ways. Therefore, this claim is __________ by my data.
Part 4

Part 4: Reading "A Hole in the Ozone"

1

What are the ways each gas can interact with energy? Select all that apply.

0

Find a quote that answers this question:

What purpose does ozone serve to humans?

0

Why do you think that the amount of ozone in the atmopshere was decreasing?

0

Find a quote that answers this question:

What causes Global Climate Change?

1

The hole in the ozone layer is not a cause of global climate change.

0

What caused the hole in the ozone layer?

Part 5

Part 5: Exit Ticket

2
When the amount of carbon dioxide or methane in the atmosphere changes, the amount of energy absorbed by the surface also changes.

When the amount of carbon dioxide or methane _______ , energy absorbed by the surface increases.
When the amount of carbon dioxide or methane _______ , energy absorbed by the surface decreases.
After science class one day, your friend texts you saying, “We will always need carbon dioxide in our atmosphere because that is one part of how plants produce their own food, through photosynthesis. And besides, animals including us breathe it out --so it can’t be all that bad!”


Criteria For Success
  • 2-3 complete sentences using appropriate science vocabulary
  • Answer explains what changes happen to global temperature and surface ice
  • Answer explains what changes happen to the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface
Word Bank
  • absorb
  • atmosphere
  • carbon dioxide
  • decrease
  • energy
  • ice
  • increase
  • methane
  • surface
  • temperature
0

Using what you know and discovered today in the SIM, write a short reply to your friend telling them about what happens to the amount of energy absorbed by Earth, global temperature, and surface ice when there is a large increase of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

You may instead draw a visual representation of this answer as long as you label each part.

Finished Early?