Greenhouse Effect Paper In this laboratory exercise, we will learn about the greenhouse effect and climate change through conducting a greenhouse effect simulation activity provided on the Hands-On La

Exercise 1 The Greenhouse Effect

In this exercise, you will use a simulation to observe the effect of greenhouse gas concentrations on the average annual temperature of the Earth. Additionally, you will observe the effects of clouds on temperatures. You will then compare temperature and gas concentration data between 1750 and today. 

Procedure

1. Gather the digital timer, pen, and paper.

2. Launch the "The Greenhouse Effect" simulation.

 SIMULATION: The Greenhouse Effect

1. Reset the simulation by the pressing the Reset button in the lower left of the screen. See Figure 9.

Figure 9. 

Screenshot of The Greenhouse Effect simulation with control functions and temperature display highlighted.

1. Set the simulation for no greenhouse gases and no clouds by moving the Greenhouse Gas Concentration slider to the far left and by unchecking the Clouds box as shown in Figure 9.

2. Begin the simulation by pressing the Start/Stop button.

3. Immediately start the timer.

4. Observe the simulation for 2 minutes, noting the numbers and behavior of both the sunlight and infrared photons.

5. After 2 minutes have elapsed, press the Start/Stop button on the simulation.

6. Record the average global temperature in °C in Data Table 1.

7. Reset the simulation by pressing the Reset button.

8. Set the simulation for 1750 greenhouse gas levels (by pressing the 1750 button) and no clouds as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10. 

Simulation setting for 1750 greenhouse gas levels and no clouds.

1. Record the greenhouse gas composition values for 1750 in Data Table 2.

2. Repeat steps 5–10.

3. Set the simulation for current greenhouse levels (using the Today button) and no clouds.

4. Record the greenhouse gas composition values for today in Data Table 2.

5. Repeat steps 5–10.

6. Set the simulation for maximum greehouse gas levels (by sliding the bar to the far right) and no clouds.

7. Repeat steps 5–10.

8. Write a summary of your observations of the interactions between sunlight photons, infrared photons, and the Earth's atmosphere for the four simulation runs without clouds in Panel 1.

9. Simulate the effects of clouds by repeating steps 5–18 with the Clouds box checked. See Figure 11.

Figure 11. 

Simulation setting for the testing effects of clouds.

1. Write a summary of your observations of the interactions between sunlight photons, infrared photons, and the Earth's atmosphere for the four simulation runs with clouds in Panel 2.

Exercise 1 - Questions

Question 1

How do atmospheric gases create the greenhouse effect?

Question 2

How does the abundance, source, and action of water vapor differ from other greenhouse gases. 

Question 3

How do the results from the simulation support the relationship between human-emitted greenhouse gases and current climate change? Reference Data Tables 1 and 2 in your answer.

Question 4

What were the effects of adding clouds to the simulation runs? Reference Data Table 1 and Panel 2 in your answer.

Question 5

How might the environment be impacted if the Earth warmed to the temperatures recorded for maximum greenhouse gas concentrations in Data Table 1?

Question 6

Based on your knowledge of the human-caused sources of greenhouse gases, what can do you as an individual to reduce emissions of these compounds?