| For more than a decade, scientists have
warned that cars ad factories spew so many gases into the atmosphere that
Earth could soon be affected by disastrous climatic changes. The
loss of rain forests in reducing the number of trees to offset the large
increases in carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The possible consequences
are so frightening that it makes sense to slow the buildup of CO2
through preventive measures, such as encouraging energy conservation, developing
alternatives to fossil fuels, and preventing the destruction of the rain
forests. |
ANALYZE PROBLEM
-
Create a graph of the data from your
experiments. Let the vertical axis represent the changes in temperature.
Let the horizontal axis represent the distances between the lamp and the
thermometer. Use different colors to indicate the control experiment
and
the greenhouse experiment.
-
Analyze the problem and write a summary
about the relationship between the temperature and the distance between
the thermometer and the lamp. Describe this relationship as a function,
and
justify your reasoning.
-
Make a chart using the data from page
3 . Describe the relationship the three planets have in regards
to the temperature with CO2, temperature
without CO2, and the distance
from the sun.
-
Draw a conclusion about the relationship
between the distance from the sun and the temperature of Venus and Earth
with CO2. Describe this relationship as a function, and
justify your reasoning.
-
Draw a conclusion about the relationship
between the distance from the sun and the temperature of Mars and Earth
with CO2. Describe this relationship as a function, and
justify your reasoning.
-
Compare these relationships.
How are the relationships similar and different?
-
Predict what the temperature of Mars
would be if it had the same amount of CO2 that Earth has.
Explain your calculations.
Title this portion of the Investigation
"The
Greenhouse Effect -- Ending Investigation" and add this section
of the investigation to your folder.
Some scientists predict that by the year
2050, Earth's atmosphere will contain between 500 and 700 pp. of CO2.
-
Write a one page paper explaining the
situation to a group of concerned citizens. Consider some of the
following questions to address in your paper. Use at least three
references and properly document your sources.
-
What factors will cause this increase in CO2?
-
How different is this estimate from the amount
of CO2 calculated earlier?
-
In your opinion, what will the approximate
average temperature on Earth be at that time?
-
What might occur if the temperature reaches
that point? What are some of the dangers involved?
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