Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.

1.Introduce the topic through online reading

Reading (5–10 min)

• Discuss the sources of carbon and its compounds.
• Discuss the molecular structure of some carbon compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
• What is the greenhouse effect of Earth’s atmosphere?Introduce the topic of atmosphere and its composition. Name the atmospheric gases (including CO2 and CH4) and their typical percentages.
• Discuss the phenomenon of sunlight striking the Earth and infrared radiation being emitted from the Earth.
• Use online reading material to provide an overview of how CO2 and other atmospheric gas molecules interact with electromagnetic radiation. 2 Step-by-step User Guide The reading material is available at:https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/how-climate-works/carbon-dioxide-absorbs-and-re-emits-infrared-radiation

2.Play a micro-lecture (video)

Micro-lecture (~8 min)

Now play this micro-lecture (video, approx. 8 min) to explain the interaction of molecules such as CO2 with electromagnetic radiation, and the resulting molecular vibrations that lead to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere

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3. Conduct an activity using an interactive visualization

Reading (15 mins)

Next, explore this topic in an interactive and engaging manner by using a visualization tool, “The Greenhouse Effect”, from PhET.

The tool will help your students to visualize the molecular structure of carbon compounds (CO2, CH4), explore the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the molecules, and understand the role of greenhouse gases in climate change.

• Download PhET’s tool, “The Greenhouse Effect”, from https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/greenhouse-effect/about
• Launch the tool.
• Go to the Photon Absorption pane.
• For each Atmospheric Gas (select options under Atmospheric Gases)—CH4, CO2, H20, N2, O2— observe the molecular structure and the effect of the Infrared Photon on the molecule. The slider on the Light Source can be adjusted to control the rate of emission of photons.
• Use the Build Atmosphere option to set the number of molecules of each Visualize the effect of the Infrared Photons on the molecules in the atmosphere atmospheric gas.
• The absorption of infrared photons by gases such as CO2 and CH4 in the atmosphere results in the warming of the surface of the planet. This effect is called the greenhouse effect
• Go to the Greenhouse Effect pane.
• Select different scenarios (Atmosphere during…), observe the Greenhouse Gas Composition for each scenario, and the corresponding surface temperature shown in the thermometer on the left. Draw inferences.

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4.Questions/Assignments

Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation

Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:

• How do molecules of gases interact with electromagnetic radiation?
• How do atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules interact with infrared photons?
• What is the greenhouse effect of Earth’s atmosphere?
• Could an increase in methane emissions affect the Earth’s temperature? Why?

Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:

1. How do molecules of gases interact with electromagnetic radiation?
2. How do atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules interact with infrared photons?
3. What is the greenhouse effect of Earth’s atmosphere?
4. Could an increase in methane emissions affect the Earth’s temperature? Why?