Click the Techie Toolbox for tips and help to make the most of your time on the Web.

 Chapter 24: Chemical Reactions

Fossil Fuels and Greenhouse Gases You've probably heard a lot about global warming and the greenhouse effect. According to one theory, certain gases in the atmosphere might be causing Earth's average global temperature to rise. The gases carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, known as greenhouse gases, result from chemical reactions with oxygen when fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, are burned. What are some everyday activities that you do that might produce greenhouse gases?

What do you do to produce greenhouse gases?

Think of the different ways you use fossil fuels every day. Why are fossil fuels important? Form a hypothesis about how certain activities add greenhouse gases to our atmosphere.

Goals Observe how you use fossil fuels in your daily life. Gather data on the process of burning fossil fuels and how greenhouse gases are released. Research the chemical reactions that produce greenhouse gases. Identify the importance of fossil fuels and their effect on the environment. Communicate your findings to other students.   Data Sources Weblinks View Student Data

Plan Observe the activities of your daily life. How do you use energy from fossil fuels each day? Develop a way to categorize the different chemical reactions and the greenhouse gases they produce. Search reference sources to learn what chemical reactions produce greenhouse gases. What are some of the most common uses of fossil fuels? Is it possible to never use fossil fuels?   Do Make sure your teacher approves your plan and your data table before you proceed. Research the different greenhouse gases and the chemical reactions that produce them. Compare the different reactions and their products. Record your data in your Science Journal.

Record in your Science Journal what activities contribute to the greatest amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Analyze the types of chemical reactions that produce greenhouse gases. What types of reactions are they? Compare your results with other students. What greenhouse gas is most often released? Make a table of your data.   How do you think your data would be affected if you had performed this experiment 100 years ago? What processes in nature might also contribute to the release of greenhouse gases? Compare their impact to that made by fossil fuels.

Results

Fossil Fuels and Greenhouse Gases Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced Type of Activity Chemical Reaction that Occurs Greenhouse Gas(es) Produced * City: * State: Select Your State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Not Applicable * School:

* required