Without a heat-trapping blanket of naturally occurring CO2, it is believed that Earth would have an average surface temperature of -17°C, instead of its current average, 15°C.  There is evidence that Mars has little CO2 in its atmosphere, and its temperature never exceeds -31°C.  At the other extreme, Venus, with lots of CO2, has an average temperature of 454°C.
  • Answer the following questions.  All answers should be in complete sentences.
    1. What would the difference in temperature be between Earth with CO2 and Earth without CO2?  Do you think life could exist on Earth without CO2?  Explain.
    2. What is the difference in temperature between Mars and Earth without CO2?  Explain what other factors contribute to the difference in temperature.
    3. What is the difference in temperature between Venus and Mars?  Explain what other factors contribute to the difference in temperature.
    4. Make a chart that shows the three planets and their temperatures with CO2 in their atmospheres and with little or no CO2.  Assume that the differences in the temperatures for the other planets would be the same as the difference in Earth's temperatures with CO2 and without CO2.  You will use this information later on as you work on the Investigation.
    Title this portion of the Investigation "The Greenhouse Effect--page 3"


    CONTENTS:
    Introduction:  Unit Overview
    Begin:  Beginning the Investigation
    Page 2:  Comparing Data
    Page 3:  Working with Integers & Comparing Data
    Page 4:  Charts and Graphs
    Page 5:  Working with Formulas
    End:  Closing the Investigation
    Quiz:  Greenhouse Investigation Quiz
    These pages were developed through GirlTECH , a teacher-training program sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEEE) with support from the National Science Foundation through EOT-PACI.