Greenhouse in a Beaker

• This video by the Paleontological Research Institution describes the concept of the greenhouse effect in an actual greenhouse and uses a simple experiment to demonstrate how carbon dioxide can absorb infrared radiation, leading to temperature increases in a system. 
  
• The experiment involves bubbling carbon dioxide from antacid tablets into a glass jar and measuring the temperature change over time as a heat lamp shines on it and a control jar. 
  

Positives

• The narrator describes all components of the experiment, easily allowing a teacher to replicate this same set-up in their classroom.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should be familiar with the concept that Earth's atmosphere allows some radiation to pass through and other types are absorbed resulting in temperature changes.
• Students should be familiar with terms like visible light, infrared radiation, and wavelength.

Differentiation

• Consider having students draw a diagram of the experimental set up with an explanation of how the experiment demonstrates the greenhouse effect. 
• To dive deeper into the science of the greenhouse effect and climate change, high school students may benefit from this interactive, online lesson: Heating it Up: The Chemistry of the Greenhouse Effect.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.