Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello experts,

I am going to 6th grade and for my science experiment, I would like to test the hypothesis that methane has a greater global warming potential (GWP) than CO2. I have read that methane is 25 to 86 times worse than CO2.

Would you be able to suggest a procedure or an experiment that would help me show that the same quantity of methane is worse than CO2?

Maybe we can show how a container of methane melts ice faster than a container of CO2?

How to create the same weight of CO2 and methane for such an experiment and make sure the gas does not escape?

I would be grateful for any ideas.

Sincerely,

N

Moderator note: Hello N, Lots of good questions! I'm going to cross-post this to the Grade 6-8 Physical Sciences forum so that some of those experts can also help answer your questions. Thanks! Madeline

Hello N,

This sounds like a great project idea! Here are a few Project Guides that might help you design your experiment to investigate the green house effect.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... es#summary

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ct#summary

Audrey

Thank you so much Audrey!
These sound like great ideas..
I will study them more and if you don't mind, brainstorm the ideas with you later.
Thanks again

N

Hi Audrey,

I was thinking of making 3 boxes as described in the link you sent me here:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #procedure

In the first box, I will do as described in the link.

In the second box, I would add some organic matter such as banana peels, blueberries etc to create methane. The temperature in this box should be higher than the first box.

In the 3rd box, I would include a plant to see if the temperature would be lower because the plant has absorbed the CO2.

Does this sound like a do-able experiment?

Can I buy the soil if I don't have a garden?

Thank you again

N

Sounds like a great test and hypothesis! You should be able to purchase potting soil at a hardware store or garden center.

Let us know how it goes!

Audrey

Thank you Audrey!