Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I need help with designing the experiment for proving the effect of CO2 on
warming. I am thinking of taking different soda bottles and do either one of the following
a) put vinegar and different amounts of baking soda in each bottle(amount of CO2
produced in each bottle is different) and measure the temperature before and after adding baking soda.
b) Put water and different amounts of alka seltzer and measure the temperature.
Will THIS WORK?
How much temperature difference can i expect?
Do i keep the bottlees under a light source?
Will the reaction of vinegar and baking soda itself produce heat?
Please help
I have to submit the procedure for the project soon...,
Thank you so much in advance for your help
Rachel ray

Rachel,

Great project!

Using baking soda might work better than Alka Seltzer as it's more pure (Alka Seltzer probably has more additives in it that could interfere with the reaction) and likely easier to measure out as a powder rather than in tablets.

To determine if the reaction of baking soda and vinegar will produce heat you need to determine if the reaction is endothermic or exothermic. You can test this by placing a thermometer in vinegar and then adding the baking soda and seeing the effect on the temperature.

Unfortunately I don't know much about designing an experiment to measure the greenhouse effect, perhaps another Expert can help?

Audrey

Thank you so much Audrey for your response. I will
follow your instructions to see if the reaction is exo or endothermic.
Please can some other expert help me design the experiment?

Thanks a ton if you respond,

Rachel

It may be better to use a small aquarium equipped with a uv-light. You could then mount a strip thermometer to the side and measure the temperature at several hours using different amounts of CO2. That way you are measuring the same system each time, and the aquarium thermometers will be easy to mount and read during the experiment.

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I will try that.
As to the light source, will a desk lamp with a light bulb do?
Thanks again,
Rachel