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Student Activity - Greenhouse simulation
Activity idea
In this activity, students use a plastic soda bottle to make and test the temperature of a bottle ‘greenhouse’ and demonstrate how light energy is transformed into heat energy.
If you have ever been inside a greenhouse, you will know that the temperature inside is warmer than the temperature outside. The law of energy conservation states that energy cannot be created, so how is this heat made? In this experiment, you will make your own small greenhouse. Before you start, form your own hypothesis as to why this is possible.
Instructions
What you will need
- clear plastic soda bottle with a lid
- Blu Tack
- two thermometers
Instructions
- Use the Blu Tack to attach the top end of one thermometer to the inside of the lid.
- Insert the thermometer into the bottle.
- Carefully screw the lid with the thermometer onto the bottle.
- Place the bottle and the other thermometer in a sunny location and record the initial temperatures.
- Continue recording the temperatures every minute for ten minutes, or until a constant temperature is reached (no change in temperature for three minutes).
Questions
- Which thermometer had the greatest change in temperature and why?
- Which thermometer showed the fastest increase in temperature and why?
More information about the greenhouse effect on Earth in comparison to that on Venus and Mars. http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_1.htm
