Introduction

In this experiment, we will be finding how colors and kinds of surfaces affect the heat-trapping ability of greenhouse material, also known as the greenhouse effect. And our hypothesis is that the light-trapping ability of a greenhouse is more affected by the smooth surface and light color than the rough surface and dark color.

Aim

To determine which kind of surface and color affect the heat-trapping ability of a greenhouse.

Theory

1. The process by which the surface of a planet gets heated up by the radiation of that planet’s atmosphere is known as the greenhouse effect.

2. Greenhouse gasses are those glasses that allow sunlight to pass through the atmosphere but reflect and absorb the heat, i.e., infrared radiation emitted by the planet.

3. Some greenhouse gasses are water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane.

Source

Requirements

1. Six bottles,

2. White paint,

3. Dirt,

4. Sand,

5. Water,

Procedure

Step 1: Paint the upper third of three bottles to represent the greenhouse gasses.

Step 2: Fill each of the six bottles with sand, water, and dirt.

Step 3: Put all of these bottles under various amounts of light intensities.

Step 4: Record your observations.

Observation

From our observation, we concluded that-

1. Black-colored dirt has the lowest temperature.

2. Smooth-surfaced water and light-colored sand have the highest temperature.

Result

1. Our hypothesis is correct.

2. Smooth-surfaced water and light-colored sand have the highest temperature while the black colored dirt has the lowest temperature

Recommendation

1. We learned a lot about the greenhouse effect in this experiment. For instance, the effect of texture and surface material on the greenhouse effect, and the certain methods to reduce the emission from greenhouse gasses.

2. We all know that the greenhouse effect is caused by human activities.

3. In the experiment, we faced many difficulties in reading the temperature with plastic bottles. So, we concluded that instead of plastic bottles, using glass bottles could be a good idea as the glass bottles withstand a higher temperature than the plastic bottles.

4. We have also seen that the use of a digital thermometer could measure the temperature more effectively.

5. It would be great to start with lower light intensity and then gradually go to higher light intensity either by putting more distance between the bottles and the bulb or starting with the bulb that has lower light intensity.

Precaution

1. Wear gloves before touching the hot bottles.

2. Record your observation carefully.

Viva Questions With Answers

Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?

ANS. To determine which kind of surface and color affect the heat-trapping ability of a greenhouse.

Q.2 What kind of material has the higher temperature in your experiment?

ANS. Smooth-surfaced water and light-colored sand have the highest temperature.

Q.3 What kind of material has the lowest temperature in your experiment?

ANS. Black-colored dirt has the lowest temperature.

Q.4 Name some greenhouse gasses.

ANS. Some greenhouse gasses are water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane.

Q.5 Why did you use a digital thermometer instead of a casual thermometer?

ANS. We have used a digital thermometer because it can measure the temperature more effectively.

Saquib Siddiqui

Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.