Electromagnetic Radiation (energy) from the Sun
Steps:
Determine the problems:
How do rainbows form?
How do sunsets and sunrises color the sky?
How do atmospheric gases affect which radiation travels from:
space to the earth
earth to space
Which of the prevalent gases in the atmosphere are greenhouse gases?
Make a few hypotheses:
Based on your current understanding and perhaps life experiences:
How do you think rainbows form?
How do you think sunrises and sunsets color the atmosphere?
How do atmospheric gases interact with electromagnetic radiation?
How do greenhouse gases trap radiation in the atmosphere, and which type of radiation do they trap?
Test your hypotheses:
Watch the YouTube (I will email you the link) for background information (a bit on nuclear fusion, even) and the steps in the lab.
Make the rainbow.
Take pictures and/or video along the way to send to me.
Think carefully about the journey the light makes from air, to water, to the mirror, and back to the air. How is the rainbow formed?
Consult a text, Newton animation, and/or internet to test your hypothesis.
(Analysis & Conclusions) Write a short (~1/2 page summary, 1.5 or 2 line spacing) summary of how the rainbow formed using the apparatus in the lab, and explain how it mimics the formation of rainbows in nature. If you'd like to include a sketch, by all means, do so!
Make the milk sunrise/sunset. Likewise, think carefully about the journey the light makes. How is the sunset formed?
Take pictures and/or video along the way!
Likewise, think carefully about the journey of the light. It's losing its bluer colors!
Consult a text and/or internet to test your hypothesis.
(Analysis & Conclusions) As for the rainbow, write a similar short summary of how the sunrise/sunset formed using the apparatus in the lab, and explain how it mimics the formation of a sunrise/sunset in nature. Sketches are always welcome!
Indicate the type of interaction between each molecule and radiation type. (E.g., no interaction, vibration, rotation)
Indicate whether the molecule is a greenhouse gas.
Indicate whether the molecule could shield against UV radiation.
(Analysis & Conclusions) Summarize your analysis and conclusions in a brief paragraph.