The Atmosphere Demonstrations
Atmosphere demonstrations reveal the layers and properties of the air surrounding Earth. They help make this invisible but essential system more tangible to students.
| Demonstration | Materials | Difficulty | Safety | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass of Air | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Two balloons are balanced on a yardstick, and when one balloon is filled with air, it tips the balance, proving that air molecules have mass and are pulled down by gravity. A balloon can also be weighed empty and full on a precise scale. |
| Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse Jar | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | This experiment models the greenhouse effect using jars filled with different controls and a baking soda–vinegar reaction to produce carbon dioxide. By comparing temperatures in jars with and without trapped CO2, students see how greenhouse gases can trap heat. |
| Black vs White Can Heating | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | This experiment demonstrates how color affects heat absorption by comparing the water temperature in a black-painted can and a white-painted can after exposure to sunlight. The black can absorbs more energy, heating the water inside faster than the white can. |
| Black vs Silver Can Cooling | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | This demonstration shows how emissivity affects heat radiation by comparing the cooling rates of hot water in a black can versus a shiny silver can. The black can radiates heat more efficiently and cools faster than the silver can. |
| Greenhouse Analogy with Chocolate | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | This classroom activity models the greenhouse effect using chocolate squares instead of thermometers. By comparing how quickly chocolate melts inside and outside a transparent container under a light source or the Sun, students observe how greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. |
| Changing Albedo | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Students test how different surfaces (soil, snow, and water) heat up under light to explore the role of albedo. By comparing temperature changes, they learn how albedo influences warming and melting in Earth's systems. |
| Air Pressure Breaks a Ruler | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | A ruler placed on the edge of a table with covered by a piece of paper can be broken by a swift strike. |
| Bernoulli’s Principle Blowing Up Bag | ★★★ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | A long plastic bag is inflated with a single quick breath. The fast jet of air lowers pressure at the mouth of the bag and sucks in surrounding air, so room air rushes in with your breath - an application of Bernoulli’s principle. |
| Globe and Heat Lamp Seasons Model | ★★★ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | A globe, heat lamp, and infrared thermometer are used to demonstrate how the tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the seasons. Students measure and compare temperature changes in different hemispheres to model seasonal variation. |
| Scattering of Light with Milk | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | A flashlight shining through water mixed with milk demonstrates how scattering of shorter wavelengths makes light appear blue from the side and red-orange when viewed through the length of the liquid, simulating why the sky is blue and sunsets are red. |
Materials
★☆☆ Easy to get from supermarket or hardware store
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty
★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires a more experienced teacher
Safety
★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required
★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
★★★ Only to be attempted with adequate safety procedures and trained staff