Simulating Gases and The Greenhouse Effect AP/IB
Provided by: BioInteractive|Published on: August 14, 2025|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Authors: BioInteractive
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity from BioInteractive, students will explore interactive simulations to see how gases in the atmosphere interact with solar energy and how this is related to the greenhouse effect.
- Students will see how powerfully each greenhouse gas absorbs and reradiates infrared light and how an increase in these gases affects the Earth's average temperature over time.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Students are given easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for interacting with the simulations.
- The simulations are simple, allowing students to see the important information without distractions.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand basic chemistry and be familiar with the electromagnetic spectrum.
- It may benefit students to already have background knowledge about the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After completing this activity, students can research human activities and other processes that emit greenhouse gases. This unit can help students understand the causes and impacts of climate change.
- Students can analyze this model from a science and engineering perspective, noting any limitations the model may have and other things to consider.
- For a deeper dive into the greenhouse gases, students can use this self-paced lesson.
This resource is a simulation that allows students to see how molecules interact with different types (wavelengths) of light. A second simulation then allows students to simulate the greenhouse effect and see how the Earth's energy balance, and therefore temperature, changes as the amount of greenhouse gases changes. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
