PHET: Greenhouse Gases

DIRECTIONS: From the three options at the bottom, select "Waves" and then click "Start Sunlight." Without adjusting anything, take a moment to observe how the sim works.

QUESTION: What are the two forms of energy represented in the sim?

• Nuclear

• Chemical

• Sunlight

• Potential

• Infrared

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QUESTION: As sunlight penetrates the atmosphere and hits the ground, what is the energy conversion that takes place?

• Nuclear → Thermal

• Infrared → Sunlight

• Sunlight → Infrared

• Thermal → Nuclear

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QUESTION: According to the sim, what role do clouds play?

• Reflect some sunlight

• Absorb some sunlight

• Reflect some infrared energy

• Absorb some infrared energy

DIRECTIONS: In the bottom-right corner, locate the box for turning clouds on and off, uncheck it, and observe the temperature change.

QUESTION: Based on your observations, how do clouds affect Earth's temperature?

• clouds make Earth warmer

• clouds make Earth cooler

• clouds do not affect Earth's temperature

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FYI: Even though the sim doesn't show it, some clouds also help to trap heat, helping to keep the Earth warm. Water vapor itself (which clouds are made of) is actually a greenhouse gas!

• Cool!

• Neat!

• That's so sigma!

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DIRECTIONS: Locate the "Greenhouse Gas Concentration" slider on the right side of the sim and play around with it, observing the temperature as you do so.

QUESTION: Which of the following statements best describes how greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

• Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases trap less energy, making the planet warmer.

• Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases trap more energy, making the planet warmer.

• Lower concentrations of greenhouse gases trap less energy, making the planet warmer.

• Lower concentrations of greenhouse gases trap more energy, making the planet warmer.

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DIRECTIONS: Locate the calendar icon as shown in the image and click it.

QUESTIONS: Rank the four time periods from LOWEST to HIGHEST based on the concentration of greenhouse gases.

• 1750

• Ice Age

• 1950

• 2020

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READ: The Industrial Revolution began around the year 1750 and was largely powered by the fossil fuel coal. Coal is primarily made of carbon, which has the chemical equation C + O₂​ → CO₂ when burnt.​ CO₂ is carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.

WRITE: In your own words, describe the impact the Industrial Revolution had on Earth's climate. In your answer, be sure to include evidence from the sim, your prior knowledge, and the chemical reaction described above.

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DIRECTIONS: From the three sim selections at the bottom of the screen, select "Photons." A PHOTON is a packet of electromagnetic energy that can be seen (visible light), felt as heat (infrared light), or observed in some other way. Play with this portion of the sim, comparing and contrasting it to the previous portion.

QUESTION: Unlike the first part of the sim, this part specifically lists three greenhouse gases. What are they? (Hint: click on the calendar icon)

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

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DIRECTIONS: Launch the last portion of the sim, "Layer Model," and play around with it, making observations as you do so, specifically observations about how what you change affects temperature.

• Got it!

• Done!

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