Life in the Greenhouse
Written and narrated by Jessica Fries-Gaither
Have you ever been in a greenhouse ? People grow plants in a greenhouse. They can even grow them in cold weather.
The roof and walls of a green house are made of glass or plastic. Sunlight can shine through.
Inside the greenhouse, plants, soil, and air absorb the light. They heat up. The heat is trapped inside the greenhouse. It makes the greenhouse very warm inside, even in the winter!
Did you know that Earth is like a greenhouse? The Sun's light shines on Earth. Earth's land, air, and water absorb the light. They heat up. Earth's air traps the heat. It keeps Earth warm.
You can see this for yourself! Try this experiment! You need two glass jars, two cups of water, a clear plastic bag, two thermometers, and tape. You might also need a lamp.
First, fill each jar with one cup of water.
Next, place a thermometer in each jar. Put the plastic bag over one jar. Seal the bag with the tape. Take the temperature of the water in each jar.
Put both jars in the sun or under a lamp. Leave them there for an hour. How do you think the temperature will change in each jar?
After an hour, record the temperature of the water in each jar. Which one got hotter? Why?
The water in the jar with the plastic bag got hotter. The heat was trapped inside the bag. This is like Earth's air keeping Earth warm.
The other jar wasn't covered up. The heat could escape. The water in the jar didn't get as hot.
Earth's air is important. It keeps our planet just right for us!
Find these and other stories at http://beyondweather.ehe.osu.edu/stories-for-students.