High School Resource

The Greenhouse Effect by PhET

This simulation will allow students to see how the Earth’s temperature changes due to the Greenhouse Effect. Students can select the level of atmospheric greenhouse gases during an ice age, in the year 1750, today, or at some time in the future. Just how do greenhouse gases change the climate?

Using the simulation, students will:

• Describe what happens to the temperature, sunlight, and infrared photons as you change the concentration of greenhouse gases.
• Explore the differences between the ice age and today.
• What happens when clouds are present?
• Explain why the temperature increases as the concentration of greenhouse gases increases.

Related NY State Academic Standards: S.MS.LS.2.5 and MST4.I.LE.7.2!

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