Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Dear Expert,

I am in 6th grade.
I am doing an experiment on the greenhouse effect. I am testing if the amount of carbon dioxide will effect the temperature in the atmosphere. Also can someone give me some sources? I have been researching but I would like some more sources for a more detailed paper. Please respond, I really need help!
If you respond, thank you very much!

Hi there,

I just typed "carbon dioxide greenhouse effect" into Google, and got a lot of great hits with legitimate references to help you with your background research.

Here is one site with good references to get you started: http://www.aip.org/history/climate/co2.htm

Try searching yourself, and use some references to find others!

Let us know if you have more specific questions.

Good luck!
Heather

Thanks a lot! I am using six jars and putting cups in each jar.
I am putting 100 mL of water in each cup and a different amount of alka-seltzer in each cup.
Then I am going to cover each jar with plastic wrap on top.
After the alka-seltzer dissolves I'll stick a thermometer through the plastic wrap and measure the temperature.

I also have a question, what should be my control?

If you reply, thanks a TON in advance!

Rachel \m/ ^_^ \m/

Hi Rachel,
Your control would be a jar without alka-seltzer.

Hi there,

Rachel is correct. Your control would be a jar with 100mL of water but no alka-seltzer.

One suggestion I have is that you might want to measure pH of the water in addition to temperature of the air. One of the effects of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, besides the greenhouse gas effect, is ocean acidification.

Keep us posted as your project progresses!

Heather

Hi again!

For my control, would I still cover the jar with the plastic wrap?

Yes, you want to do everything the same, except for the presence of the alka seltzer. (Otherwise, you won't know if one of the factors you left out was what made the difference!)

Heather

Oh, okay! Thanks!

I was just wondering if I could have different trials. Like putting the jars outside at a different time of day. Would that work too?

Also, would this be a good title for my project if it works?: Global Warming Myth: Busted

(since some people don't believe in global warming)

Thanks a BUNCH,

Rachel

Hi Rachel,

You could try putting the jars out at different times of day, but you would need a new control jar (no alka seltzer) and experimental jars for every time you chose.

You may want to wait on your title until you see your results! While some people don't believe in global warming, the science is already out there to support it. However, you won't know if your experiment supports or refutes the existing data until you do it.

Please keep in mind that the way carbon dioxide works as a greenhouse gas is by reflecting back the infrared radiation (light) that is coming off the Earth's surface. Carbon dioxide does not warm the air just by being there; it does so by keeping some of that infrared radiation from escaping the atmosphere. Make sure you read enough background information to understand how it works and to know what science has already been done to support (or refute) the idea of global warming. Then post back with more questions!

Heather

Hi!

I have a lot of background info so don't worry! My background paper is about 8-9 pages long.

Thanks a lot, anyway. You really helped a bunch with my project! If you have any more info or suggestions, please post it here!

You are AWESOMENESS (my class says that)


Thanks again,

Rachel

Hey there! Im in ninth grade and we were actually learning about the greenhouse effect. Believe it or not if you simply just look into some online textbooks you can find some really usefull information. try it and let me know what you come up with.

OK! Thanks, I'll try that soon.

Rachel

Wow! I got a LOT of information from trying the online textbooks!

Now I have a bunch of sources for my bibliography!


Thanks for the millionth time,

Rachel

Thanks everybody!

I'm starting my experiment this weekend!
Thanks experts for helping me get this far!

I'll post again after I got the results!

Thanks again,
Rachel

\m/ ^_^ \m/

You rock guys!

Hi again!

it just happened that i won 3rd place at my school for science fair!
now i'm going to compete in county.

thanks again to everyone who helped me with this project!

Hi Rachel,

Congratulations on placing in your school science fair! Best of luck in the county fair. Please let us know how it goes.

Heather

OK THANKS!

its in april so i have plenty of time to prepare!