Department of Physics Papers
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
2019
Publication Source
The Physics Teacher
Abstract
Before they can talk meaningfully about anthropogenic climate change, students need to grasp basic principles of natural planetary climates, for example, the key role of trace atmospheric gases in setting surface temperature. We describe a dramatic demonstration that scales well for large audiences and that requires as little as ten classroom minutes to show the crucial difference between room air and carbon dioxide gas. Beyond its significance for public policy, the demonstration can serve as a springboard to motivate discussion of important physics concepts such as rotation and vibration spectra.
Recommended Citation
Sieg, P., Berner, W., Harnish, P., & Nelson, P. C. (2019). A Demonstration of the Infrared Activity of Carbon Dioxide. The Physics Teacher, Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/physics_papers/649
Included in
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons, Environmental Education Commons, Other Earth Sciences Commons
Date Posted: 04 September 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.
Comments
Accepted for publication.