Lab 2-2

PhET – Greenhouse Gases and Their Effect on Earth’s Climate ( http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/greenhouse ) Once you have navigated to PhET’s The Greenhouse Effect simulation page, select the large PLAY button in the middle of the simulation window. To start, let’s examine the influence that photons have on Earth’s atmosphere at the microscopic scale, and the impact that different photons have on different components of the atmosphere. To do this, select the tab labeled “ Photons ” and take a minute to familiarize yourself with the various settings. Once you’re ready to begin answering questions, hit the “ Start Sunlight ” button at the bottom of the right-hand side of the screen. 1. What are photons? How are Infrared and Visible photons different from one another? You may need to do a bit of research in your textbook, or online to answer this question. (5 marks) Elementary particles responsible for electromagnetic radiation – the difference between the Infrard and the visible is that the Infrared are coming from the bottom/the ground – they also have a longer wavelength as they cannot be seen and the visible are coming from the top/sky. These have a shorter wavelength and have a lower frequency. 2. Identify the atmospheric gases listed at the right corner of the screen. You may need to do a bit of research in your textbook or online to answer this question. (5 marks) CO2,CH4, and N2O 3. The three atmospheric gases you just identified as most influenced by infrared photons are collectively referred to as what type of gases? (5 marks) Greenhouse Gas Concentration 4. Between what time periods (Ice Age, 1750 CE, 1950, 2020) where does there appear to be the largest increase in CO 2 concentration? What time periods experience the largest increase in temperatures? Can you think of any reasons why this might be the case? Please be as quantitative (numbers!) as possible with your answer. (10 marks) The largest increase of CO2 was in 2020. Then in 1750 had the largest increase in temperature. The reason I think the temperature went up so high is because the first one was in the artic where it’s the coldest and the rest weren’t in the same area. 5. Calculate the average rate of increase in CO 2 concentration between 1750 and 2020 (in ppm/year). Use this value, coupled with your findings from the previous question, to estimate when the Ice Age happened? Compare your answer to the accepted value of the date of the most recent Ice Age (you may need to do some Googling). What might any differences in these values tell you about the how the rate of increase in CO 2 concentration has changed over time? Please be sure to show all of your work here . (25 marks) 1