Overview of Activity

Students observe the presence of CO₂ from various sources in order to gain a greater understanding of atmospheric CO₂.

Grade Level: 6 to 12

Difficulty: Intermediate

Activity Type: In Class
URL:http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_4_2_17t.htm
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_4_2_17s.htm
Amount of Time Required for Activity: Three 45-minute periods

Description
This exercise is divided into three parts. In part one of the exercise, students use bromothymol blue (BTB) to detect the presence of carbon dioxide in a test tube that contains the gas collected from the combination of vinegar and baking soda. Students observe the color change as compared to an untreated control tube. In part two of the experiment, students use BTB to detect the amount of CO₂ present in their breath, air from a bicycle pump, and car exhaust. They observe the color change to the BTB and record their observations. In part three, they observe the amount of ammonia required to return the contents of each of the experimental tubes to their original color. They then answer a series of questions about the amount of CO₂ in each of the variables tested.

This activity is presented by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Relation to the Science Standards
Middle School
Content Standard B – Transfer of Energy
Content Standard D – Structure of the Earth System

High School
Content Standard B – The Interdependence of Organisms
Content Standard D – Energy in the Earth System
Content Standard D – Geochemical Cycles
Content Standard F – Environmental Quality

Related Part of the Exhibit
Carbon Cycle

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