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Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh... How Much Heat There is! Objective: What are the effects of increased levels of greenhouse gases (CO₂) on atmospheric temperature?

Materials

CO₂ source
2 liter soda bottles
other common laboratory equipment

Procedure

Before you begin, read through the lab carefully, think especially about what kind of data you wish to collect and the questions that you need to answer when you are finished.

1. State your hypothesis as to the relationship between increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global temperature.

2. Develop a procedure to test your hypothesis.
Hint: you can create an artificial atmosphere in a sealed 2 liter pop bottle.

3. Write out a detailed list of your materials and the procedure you will use for this investigation.

4. Take DETAILED procedure to teacher for approval.

5. Gather all the materials that you need.

6. Perform your investigation.

Analysis

1. Create a table that will organize and display your data. Remember to:

Display your data in an organized table that is easy to understand.
Record all measurements as accurately as possible.
Label all data with correct units.

2. On one graph only, graph time vs. temperature for both bottles. Remember to:

use different colors for the graphs of temperature of each bottle.
label your x axis with independent variable and your y axis with dependent variable
determine the range of measurements and create the graph to appropriate size
give your graph a title

3. Interpret your data and draw a conclusion. Remember to:

Write a paragraph that explains what you concluded from your data and why you drew that conclusion.
Restate your hypothesis and use data from your experiment to support it.

Summing Up Questions

You may use drawings and diagrams to help explain any of your answers.

1. Compare the temperature of the atmosphere in bottle #1 to temperature in bottle #2.

2. What is your explanation of why the temperatures in both bottles were not the same?

3. Would it make any difference if you used some other gas besides CO₂? Explain.

4. What other gases could you use to get similar types of results?

5. How does this investigation relate to the concern about global warming?

6. If you were to redo your experiment, how would you improve it?

7. Did performing this investigation lead to other questions you have in relation to global warming and greenhouse gases?

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