
The Greenhouse Effect in a Jar
Easy
Why does a closed car feel so much hotter than the air outside? The same trapping of heat happens in the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases let sunlight in but keep heat from escaping.
You place two thermometers side by side in direct sunlight or under a sunlamp. After they reach the same starting temperature, you cover one with a glass jar. Every minute for ten minutes you record both temperatures.
The covered thermometer climbs higher and higher. The open one stays close to the starting temperature. The jar traps warm air the same way greenhouse gases trap heat around the Earth.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the air in the jar will get warmer and warmer when exposed to sunlight.
Method & Materials
You will place two thermometers in the sunlight, record the temperature readings, and then place a jar over one of the thermometers. Every minute, for ten minutes, record the readings of both thermometers.
You will need two small thermometers, a jar or other see-through container, a clock or watch, and a sunlamp or access to a sunny area to perform the experiment.
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See what’s includedResults
The experiment showed that the air in the jar got warmer and warmer when exposed to sunlight, just like the Earth's atmosphere. This is due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gasses, which is called the "Greenhouse Effect".
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting and unique because it allows students to see for themselves the effects of a greenhouse, and relate this understanding to what occurs in our atmosphere.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include graphing the data, and simulating global warming by using two jars, one filled with air and the other with carbon dioxide.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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