Students can make bar graphs of the air temperatures measured to show comparison at each location. Next, to economize, you may need to divide students into groups of four. Have students use the internet to find realtime data in which to compare their area to at least five other areas spread out across the U.S. or the world. Next have them chart their findings. Keeping the same students in groups of four, have them choose a planet to compare its atmosphere to that of the earth's.
Students can construct a chart to record the types of gases, mean temperature, and mean pressure.
Evaluation Have students use the information charted from the WWW and other sources to write a report describing what factors affect the amount of radiation that is absorbed by the earth at different places. They should be able to draw conclusions on what factors cause air temperature to increase in some places more than in others. Evaluation Copyright 1999-2001.