Demonstrations

The Greenhouse Effect

Code Number :	4B50.60
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Good
Principle :	Wavelength Transparency
Area of Study :	Planetary Climatology
Equipment :	Two Digital Thermometers, Two Temperature Probes, Flexible Lamp, Strapping Tape, Greenhouse, Camera and Power Supply, Petri Dishes and Water, Overhead Projector.
Procedure :	Place the greenhouse onto the table and insert one thermometer into the hole in the top of the unit so that the probe is about in the middle. (About 2 to 3 inches). Lay the other probe on top of the unit also about in the center of the glass. Place the light over the unit and adjust the units angle so that it is about parallel with the light and about 8 to 10 inches distant. Put the camera on the digital readout of the thermometers and project this onto the monitors. To demonstrate, turn on the light. The temperatures should be about the same until 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At this time the greenhouse should rise 10 to 30 degrees above the surface temperature depending on length of time the light is left on . These temperatures will vary depending on the height of the light above the greenhouse. A trial run should be done an hour before the actual demonstration to assure proper operation. Do not rub the carbon off the inner plate as this is the heart of the demo. Place a thermometer with a blackened probe tip directly on an overhead projector. Turn on the projector and observe the temperature of the probe after three minutes. The temperature should be in the range of 97 to 100 degrees F. Now put the petri dish filled with water between the probe and the overhead projector. Within two to three minutes the temperature should have fallen to 91 to 93 degrees F. (Water is absorbing a majority of the infrared radiation).

References

Robert Reiland, "Variations on Greenhouse Gas Experiment", Vol. 45, # 8, Nov. 2007, p. 468.

C. F. Keating, "A Simple Experiment to Demonstrate the Effects of Greenhouse Gasses", TPT, Vol. 45, # 6, Sept. 2007, p. 376.

Se-yuen Mak, "The Greenhouse-Effect Experiment," TPT, Vol. 35, # 8, Nov. 1997, p. 504.

Gordon J. Aubrecht, II, "Trace Gases, CO2, Climate, and the Greenhouse Effect", TPT, Vol. 26, # 3, Mar. 1988, p. 145.

Gordon J. Aubrecht, II, "Erratum", TPT, Vol. 26, # 5, May 1988, p. 265.

Robert Neff, Matt Young, "The Greenhouse Effect", TPT, Vol. 21, # 3, Mar. 1983, p. 194.

E. Scott Barr, "A Common Mistake", TPT, Vol. 14, # 7, Oct. 1976, p. 390

M. Young, "The Author's Reply", TPT, Vol. 14, # 7, p. 390, Oct. 1976.

Victoria Filas and Ludwik, "Greenhouse Box", TPT, Vol. 14, # 3, March 1976, p. 169.

Tik Liem, "The Test Tube Greenhouse," Investigation to Science Inquiry, pp. 189.

Kerry Emanuel, "Hurricanes: Tempests in a Greenhouse", Physics Today, August 2006, p. 74.

# 8. "Radiate," Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky, and Wonderful Experiments.

3.83: Jearl Walker, "Greenhouse," The Flying Circus of Physics with Answers.

Janice VanCleave, "Cold 'n Hot," Earth Science for Every Kid - 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, pp. 126-127.

Janice VanCleave, "Hot Box," Astronomy for Every Kid - 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, pp. 22-23.

John Gribbin, "Whatever Happened to the Little Ice Age?" Analog Science Fiction & Fact Magazine, pp. 70.

"375, Temperature of the Earth," Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter, Mad About Physics, p. 140.

"358, The Greenhouse Effect," Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter, Mad About Physics, p. 140, 282.

#18, Global Warming What The Greenhouse Effect Is, Janice VanCleave's Ecology for Every Kid.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille