Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution |Published on: April 27, 2021
Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12
Synopsis
This video from the Paleontological Research Institution describes the electromagnetic spectrum and demonstrates how infrared radiation can be absorbed using an infrared camera.
The narrator describes the analogy of the greenhouse effect and how it relates to Earth's atmosphere.
The video's thorough verbal explanation and visual demonstration are very effective in explaining this difficult topic.
The narrator talks at a pace that is conducive to taking notes or drawing a diagram on the board for students.
Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the electromagnetic spectrum and terms like visible light, infrared radiation, and wavelength.
Differentiation & Implementation
Consider having students draw a diagram of their understanding of the greenhouse effect after watching the video. Students may need to watch the video multiple times to accomplish this.
Have students see the difference between different materials and their ability to absorb infrared radiation by having them hold various items (pencil, paperclip, ball of paper, etc.) for a minute and then compare the infrared radiation from them.
Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.
Related Teaching Resources
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