Hobbies And Interests
Stock and Flow Project
Demonstrate the importance of maintaining balanced levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere using the stock and flow model. In this carbon cycle project, you will need a sink, stopper and running water. The sink represents the atmosphere, the running water represents both natural and man-made carbon dioxide output and the drain represents the Earth's natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Mark the sink at a predetermined height, then stop it and fill it with water to the marker. This represents normal, healthy levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Pull the stopper out and turn the water faucet on simultaneously. Vary the amount of water flowing from the faucet. Notice how low pressure causes the water level to drop while high pressure causes the water level to rise. To achieve a balance, experiment with the flow of water until the level remains at the marker while the sink is unplugged.
Carbon Dioxide and Oceanic pH Levels
Demonstrate the effects of carbon dioxide on the pH levels in ocean water using a fish tank, salt water, pool chemical testing kit and dry ice. In this experiment, you will see what happens to the acidity levels of saltwater when quantities of carbon dioxide exceed carbon cycle absorption levels. Fill a fish tank with saltwater. Test the pH of the water with a pool chemical testing kit and record the levels. Drop a piece of dry ice into the water then cover the tank for an hour. Record the pH readings and compare the results. Note how the pH levels in the saltwater decreased as an increased amount of carbon dioxide was introduced.
Greenhouse Effect
Explore the concept of global warming as the result of an interrupted carbon cycle by demonstrating the greenhouse effect. Fill two identical glass jars with a cup of water. Add five ice cubes to each jar and seal them. Wrap one of the jars in a clear plastic bag and place both jars in the sunlight. Note how the ice cubes in the jar covered in plastic melt faster. Measure the water temperature of both jars after one hour. The water in the jar covered in plastic will be significantly warmer then the jar not covered in plastic because the plastic bag, like carbon dioxide, traps more heat.
Carbon Sink
Trap and remove carbon dioxide with a carbon "sink" experiment. You will need a glass beaker, bromothymol blue solution, a straw, three test tubes with lids, aluminum foil, a small elodea and a green aquatic plant. Fill the glass beaker with bromothymol blue solution and blow into with a straw. The carbon dioxide you exhale will turn the solution yellow. Pour equal amounts of the solution into each of the three test tubes. Place a green aquatic plant in one of the test tubes, a small elodea in another and leave only the solution in the third test tube. Cap all three tubes and cover the elodea tube in aluminum foil. Place all three test tubes in a beaker of water and set it out in the sunlight. Observe the test tubes over the course of a few days. Note how the solution in the tube containing the aquatic plant turns from yellow back to blue. This is because sunlight allows the aquatic plant to absorb the carbon dioxide present in the water, recycle it and emit oxygen.