LESSON 3: What's the Deal with Emissions?Time: 45-90 minutes
Lesson Overview
A vehicle's source of energy doesn't simply affect its fuel efficiency—it also affects the environment in the form of emissions. Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline emits carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The combustion of other fuels emits pollutants as well. One argument for developing alternative energy sources, then, is the need to reduce vehicle emissions and help protect the environment. In Lesson 3, students will continue to investigate alternative energy sources by focusing on the emissions they release into the environment.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:- Describe the impact of vehicle emissions on the environment.
- Calculate the extent to which today's vehicles and drivers would have to adapt in order to implement a possible solution to global warming.
- Compare and contrast alternative energy sources in terms of their impact on vehicle emissions and the environment.
Lesson Essential Questions
1. What is the effect of vehicle emissions on the environment?
2. What are the implications for vehicle design and driving habits of proposed solutions to global warming?
3. How would switching to various alternative energy sources increase or decrease vehicle emissions?
Videos & Interactives
Video Segment Testing the Greenhouse Effect Tory, Scottie, and young scientist Eric decide to build a set of greenhouses to test whether such gases as carbon dioxide and methane really do cause global warming.
Video Segment Setting Up the Greenhouses Tory, Scottie, and Eric build the greenhouses for the experiment. Using precise measurements, the team will be able to control the exact temperature and amount of gas in each greenhouse.
Video Segment Results from the Greenhouse Experiment Scottie, Tory, and Eric observe that the temperature in the carbon dioxide and methane greenhouses is always one degree warmer than in the control house.
Full Video Green Gadgets: eGO Cycle The eGO electric scooter runs on a rechargeable battery. This zero-emission vehicle can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and eliminate harmful emissions.
Exploration Rev Your Engines How much does car exhaust contribute to the greenhouse gases causing global warming? Explore the impact of different types of vehicle exhaust and different amounts of driving.
Downloads
Standards Addressed in G6-8 (PDF) Comparing Emissions Worksheet (PDF) Electric Vehicle Emissions Worksheet (PDF) My Vehicle: Fuel Efficiency and Fuel Tank Capacity Worksheet (PDF) Rev Your Engines Interactive Exploration - Teacher Guide (PDF) Rev Your Engines Interactive Exploration - Student Worksheet (PDF)
Links
Find a Car Alternative Fuel Vehicle Emissions U.S. DOE - Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center - Pollutants and Health Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Why Progressive?