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How Do Greenhouse Gases Actually Work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTvqIijqvTg&feature=youtu.be

Kurz Gesagt (illustrator), MinuteEarth

This animated video explains how the molecular structure of atmospheric gases can absorb and re-radiate infrared energy. The video uses simple models and analogies to aid in student understanding.

Video length: 3:08

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Grade Level

Topics

Climate Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Energy Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • The video moves along quickly and includes terminology with which students may not be familiar; educators may want to show it multiple times and/or pause the video to explore topics in more depth.
  • Have some physical models of molecules on hand to show students if possible.

About the Content

  • A concise explanation of how the molecular structure of gases in our atmosphere determines their ability to absorb and re-radiate infrared energy.
  • Comments from expert scientist:
    Scientific strengths:
    - Excellent, clear and concise description of molecular absorption of infrared radiation
    - Difference between the moons's lunar extreme temperatures and earth's more temperate climate
    - Introduction of molecular rotation and vibration
    - Difference between oxygen and nitrogen and greenhouse gases
    - radiation pinball is a GREAT metaphor for the greenhouse effect!
    - I did have to watch twice because there is a lot of information presented rather quickly

About the Pedagogy

  • Uses attractive cartoon graphics, and easy to understand models, to describe molecular motion and the absorption of infrared.
  • Covers a single topic (molecular motion) and does not go into the fact that CO2 is increasing in the atmosphere leading to an increase of global temperature.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • Educators may want to download the video for stand-alone, offline viewing or use an add-on such as 'Download Helper' to get rid of ads and comments underneath the video.
Entered the Collection: June 2018 Last Reviewed: April 2017

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