Review: The Carbon Cycle

Think about this: Carbon is natural, so what's the big deal?

Introducing The Greenhouse Effect

Task 1: The Greenhouse Explained

The Greenhouse Explained

Step 1: Light from the Sun

The process all begins with light. Specifically, it begins with light that shines into the greenhouse from the sun. Of course, because every surface of a greenhouse is typically made from translucent materials, it lets a lot of light inside.

Step 2: Heat Energy

The light that enters the greenhouse is then turned into heat energy. This is done effectively because the items in the greenhouse (plants, soil, floors) absorb the light and convert it into heat energy. This is especially apparent in dark colored objects, which absorb more light, and retain heat even better.

Step 3: Heat Energy is Released

The dark objects that absorbed the light (plants, soil, etc.) and stored it as heat will then release the heat energy quite slowly. The objects cool as they release the heat energy into the air. Because this warm air is lighter than the cool air above it, it rises to the surface of the greenhouse.

Step 4: Nowhere to Go

The light entered the greenhouse as light energy, but it was released by the plant as heat energy (infrared energy). This heat energy actually has a different shaped wavelength than the light energy. This difference in shape actually allows the heat energy to become “trapped” by the exterior walls of the greenhouse once it rises to the surface.

It entered the greenhouse as light energy, but has difficulty escaping the greenhouse as heat energy.

Step 5: Greenhouse Heats Up

With much of the heat effectively “trapped” in the greenhouse, the air within the greenhouse quickly warms up. The building’s temperature quickly rises during the day, as more light shines into the greenhouse.

Video: How Do Greenhouses Work? Easy Explanation!

Video: What Causes the Greenhouse Effect on Earth?

Video: How do Greenhouse Gasses work?

Task 2: Why Do We Care About the Greenhouse Effect?

Use the Greenhouse Effect Online Lab to complete the assignment on p. 73-74 in your Science Notebook.

Task 3: What are the 5 Main Greenhouse Gasses?

Use the internet to answer the questions on page 76 in your Science Notebook
You will need to know the 5 main greenhouse gasses for your unit quiz.

Please bring an EMPTY 2-liter soda bottle to class next week. Clear is Best - Thanks!