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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

The

Scienceof

Climatein the

ClassroomAmerican Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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Use the science of climate and climate change to engage students as you introduce or exemplify many classroom chemistry concepts; for example

phase changeelectromagnetic radiation energyenergy conservationmolecular structureisotopesheat capacityequilibriumacid-base chemistry

The Science of Climate in the Classroom

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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Phase changes in Earth’s ice/water

Land and sea ice are disappearing. Why?

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier Nat'l Park 1940

2006

The Science of Climate in the Classroom

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Energy balance: solar energy in = planet radiant energy out

(mostly visible) (thermal infrared)

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Energy balance: solar energy in = planet radiant energy out

(mostly visible) (thermal infrared)

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Energy balance: solar energy in = planet radiant energy out

(mostly visible) (thermal infrared)

Tobs > T P Are the atmospheres responsible? If so, how?

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Energy imbalance: solar energy in > planet radiant energy out

(mostly visible) (thermal infrared)

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Energy balance is attained when the planet is warm enough to emit

sufficient energy to compensate for the atmospheric trapping.

Tobs > T P

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Since the Industrial Revolution, burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, & gas) has

added large amounts of greenhouse gases to Earth's atmosphere.

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Since the Industrial Revolution, burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, & gas) has

added large amounts of greenhouse gases to Earth's atmosphere.

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Since the Industrial Revolution, burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, & gas) has

added large amounts of greenhouse gases to Earth's atmosphere.

now

energy imbalance balance T? > Tobs

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Electromagnetic radiation and planetary energy balance

Due to the energy imbalance (more in than out), Earth is warming as

the extra energy is being stored.

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Oceans' role in climate science

Oceans store energy, move it around the planet in great currents, and

dissolve carbon dioxide.

CO2(g) <==> CO2(aq)

CO2(aq) + H2O <==> HOCO2–(aq) + H+(aq)

HOCO2–(aq) <==> CO3

2–(aq) + H+(aq)

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Oceans' role in climate science

Oceans store energy, move it around the planet in great currents, and

dissolve carbon dioxide.

CO2(g) <==> CO2(aq)

CO2(aq) + H2O <==> HOCO2–(aq) + H+(aq)

HOCO2–(aq) <==> CO3

2–(aq) + H+(aq)

Ca2+(aq) + 2HOCO2–(aq) <==> CaCO3 + CO2(aq) + H2O

Phytoplankton are the base of the oceanic food chain.

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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The Science of Climate in the Classroom

Oceans' role in climate science

Oceans store energy, move it around the planet in great currents, and

dissolve carbon dioxide.

CO2(g) <==> CO2(aq)

CO2(aq) + H2O <==> HOCO2–(aq) + H+(aq)

HOCO2–(aq) <==> CO3

2–(aq) + H+(aq)

Ca2+(aq) + 2HOCO2–(aq) <==> CaCO3 + CO2(aq) + H2O

Phytoplankton are the base of the oceanic food chain.

Ocean acidification

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience

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Add Climate Science to Your Classroom

American Chemical Society--www.acs.org/climatescience