Global Climate Change
What Do Concentrations Mean?
 Overview of Activity
Students perform a series of serial dilutions in order to understand parts per million and parts per billion.
Activity Type:
In Class
URL:http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_4_2_14t.htm
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_4_2_14s.htm
Level of Difficulty:
Intermediate
Amount of Time Required for Activity:
One 45-minute period
Description
Students are provided with an ice cube tray. In the first well, they add concentrated food coloring. In the next well they dilute one drop of the food coloring in nine drops of water to give a 1/10 dilution. Students then dilute one-drop of the contents of the second well with nine drops of water and answer questions about the concentrations. They continue the experiment for two additional dilutions, then make observations about the color intensity of the dilutions.
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
Past Change
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