CO₂ as a greenhouse gas investigation

Preparing the containers

In pairs each student can prepare one container. DO NOT ADD LIQUID UNTIL YOU ARE BOTH READY.

Container 1

·         Get a 500 cm³ beaker and Label it  “control”

·         Measure 15 grams of baking soda

·         Put the baking soda in the beaker

·         Cover the top of the beaker with cling film

–          You will need to place the covers on the containers immediately following the addition of the liquid.  If you are using plastic wrap, practice sealing the opening with the rubber band before adding the liquid. To do this, place the plastic wrap over the opening and secure it with a rubber band around the mouth of container.

·         Using a clamp stand, boss and clamp set up the temperature probe so that it is at least 5 cm from the bottom of the beaker. See picture.

·          (You will be adding liquid to the container and you want to measure the “atmosphere” temperatures inside the container, not the liquid temperature)

·         Prepare 30 ml of water (don’t pour into the container yet)

Container 2 – (same as container one but label “CO_2­”)

·         Get a 500 cm³ beaker and Label it  “CO₂”

·         Measure 15 grams of baking soda

·         Put the baking soda in the beaker

·         Cover the top of the beaker with cling film

–          You will need to place the covers on the containers immediately following the addition of the liquid.  If you are using plastic wrap, practice sealing the opening with the rubber band before adding the liquid. To do this, place the plastic wrap over the opening and secure it with a rubber band around the mouth of container.

·         Using a clamp stand, boss and clamp set up the temperature probe so that it is held at least 5 cm from the bottom of the beaker. See picture.

·          (You will be adding liquid to the container and you want to measure the “atmosphere” temperatures inside the container, not the liquid temperature)

·         Prepare 30 ml of vinegar (don’t pour into the container yet)

If there are not enough temperature probes you may need to use a thermometer instead. Clamp it the same way as a temperature probe.

Starting the experiment

·         At the same time;

o   – Pour 30 ml of water into the container labelled “control.”

o   – Pour 30 ml of vinegar into the container labelled “CO2.”

·         Place the cover on the container labelled “control.”

·         Place the cover on the container labelled “CO2.”

·         Seal all the containers. Be sure the seals are tight.

·         Swirl both containers for 5 seconds. Then place directly underneath the lamp. 25 centimetres from the lamp. DO NOT TURN THE LAMP ON.

Procedure

To use logger pro (if you are using temperature probes), open the program then;

Click File>Open> Open the folder titled Middle school with vernier>then open “03 The Greenhouse effect”

1. BEFORE: Measure the temperature prior to turning on the light bulb. Record the temperature in the BEFORE column.

(It is important to know the temperature both before and after the light is turned on. This provides a starting point so changes in temperature can be discussed accurately)

1. TURNING THE BULB ON
1. Begin timing immediately after turning the light on.
2. Measure and record temperature in the 0-minute column on the worksheet.
2. Take and record temperature measurements in your Table every 2 minutes for the first 8 minutes of the experiment with the light on.
3. Turn off the light bulb immediately after the temperatures are recorded for the 8-minute interval. 
4. Record the temperature further 4 minutes with LIGHT OFF (10 minutes and 12 minutes)
5. Calculate the Heat Increase – the difference between the start measurement and the 8-minute interval temperature – and record it on your Greenhouse Effect Data Collection Table.
6. Calculate the Heat Retention –the difference between the 8-minute and the 12-minute intervals –and record it on your Greenhouse Effect Data Collection Table.

Use the report writing framework sheets on the next couple of pages to highlight your variables in this experiment, collect the data and analyze it.

Research Question                                                                                                                                              What are you investigating? Try to use a sentence similar to: What will happen to variable (D) as I change variable (I)

Variables

Independent Variable –

Dependent Variable –

Control Variables:

Method

Apparatus –

Method already given here you can write any alterations you may have done to the given method.

Results Put in a table or another neat and clear form. Produce a graph

Conclusion Describe how ____affects _____. Explain using scientific knowledge why you suspect this.