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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Know your Greenhouse Gases

    Know your Greenhouse Gases

    July 1, 2019 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere which trap heat. An increase in greenhouse gases caused by human activity is responsible for the greenhouse effect and global warming.

    Think how it feels when you enter a greenhouse or when you sit in a room with lots of windows in a hot day. It feels very hot. This is because sunlight passes through the windows creating heat which cannot escape. The same happens in our atmosphere. Sunlight passes through bringing with it heat which then cannot escape.

    Candy models of greenhouse gases. Image shoes a child holding a model of carbon dioxide.

    It’s not greenhouse gases themselves that are bad, without them the Earth would be too cold for life to exist, but humans are adding too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and our general over consuming lifestyle. Even a small temperature increase could have a catastrophic effect for our planet.

    Image shows a cartoon of factories giving off greenhouse gases, to illustrate climate change

    What are Greenhouse gases?

    Greenhouse gases are mainly:

    Water vapour

    Carbon dioxide

    Methane

    Ozone

    Nitrous Oxide

    Chloroflurocarbons

    Greenhouse Gas Models

    We modelled greenhouse gases using sweets, but balls of plasticine would also work well.

    You’ll need:

    Toothpicks or cocktail sticks

    Gummy sweets or plasticine ( lots of different colours )

    Assign a colour to each of the following atoms.

    C – Carbon

    H – Hydrogen

    Cl- Chlorine

    O – Oxygen

    Fl – Fluorine

    Build your greenhouse gas models!

    Methane Model

    Methane is the gas often linked with cows. The chemical formula is CH4

    This is 1 Carbon atom surrounded by 4 Hydrogen atoms.

    Methane is released from livestock, landfill sites and when coal, oil and natural gas are extracted from the Earth.

    Greenhouse Gas - Methane model

    Ozone Model

    Ozone is a gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. It’s blue and has a strong smell. The oxygen we breathe has two atoms of oxygen and has no colour or odour.

    The ozone layer blocks radiation from the sun. Good ozone occurs naturally in the upper stratosphere ( the layer of space 6-30 miles above the surface of the earth ) it forms when UV light hits oxygen molecles splitting them into two atoms of oxygen. If one O atom combines with an O2 molecule ozone is created.

    Atmospheric layers  - diagram showing layers of the atmosphere - science for kids
    Ozone candy model - global warming

    Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs)

    CFCs are made up from chlorine, flurorine, carbon and hydrogen.

    Chloroflurocarbons are the greenhouse gas responsible for the depletion of our ozone later. They are man made and not found in nature.

    CFCs were found in aerosols, fridges and foam products. They break down ozone gas, which seriously depleted the ozone layer reducing it’s ability to protect us from the sun’s harmful rays.

    CFCs were banned from use in developed countries from 2000, but they are highly stable molecules that can last up to 100 years! There is some evidence that the ozone layer has started to repair itself thanks to the ban, which is great news and shows how fast and efficient action can really make a difference.

    The CFC molecule below contains 1 carbon molecule in the centre, surroudned by 3 chlorine molecules and 1 fluorine molecule.

    CFC molecule - global warming

    Nitrous Oxide Model

    Nitrous oxide N2O is a natural part of the nitrogen cycle. Too much Nitrous Oxide ( from burning fossil fuels ) can lead to smog and acid rain.

    Nitrous Oxide Model made with candy

    Water Vapour Model

    Water vapour is water ( H2O ) in its gaseous form. It forms clouds and drops back to Earth as rain.

    It might surprise you to know that water vapour is the largest contributor to the Earth’s greenhouse effect, but this is directly related to the Earth’s temperature. It’s the increase in temperature that has led to an increase in water vapour in the atmosphere.

    water vapour model  made with candy

    Carbon Dioxide Model

    Carbon dioxide is probably the most famous of the greenhouse gases.

    CO2 is released whenever fossil fuels are burned, carbon powered power plants and transportation are the main causes of the increase in CO2 we are seeing.

    Carbon Dioxide model made with candy and toothpicks

    How can we reduce global warming?

    To slow down climate change and we need to drastically reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide ( and other greenhouse gases ) that we are pumping into the air.

    How to reduce Carbon emissions

    Use electric or hybrid cars.

    Use heating and air conditioning less.

    Recycle and reuse as much as possible.

    Buy energy efficient products such as light bulbs and unplug electrical devices when not using them.

    Walk or cycle instead of taking the car.

    Eat less meat, grow your own food and don’t WASTE food!

    Consume less generally.

    Fight for renewable energy and for change!

    A cartoon of factories spewing out greenhouse gases and candy models of carbon dioxide, ozone and VFVs.

    Last Updated on March 11, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « What is the Nitrogen Cycle?
    What causes the phases of the moon? »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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