Machines that change climate: Porsche 911 Turbo vs. Toyota Prius

Kevin Harrison

McDaniel College

Summary

This activity shows students that decisions they make can significantly alter the amount of greenhouse gases they release to the environment. Students make back-of-the-envelope calculations to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide released to the environment by different autos. The students also learn about exponential growth by calculating how the money saved by purchasing an inexpensive car can be invested to great advantage.

Learning Goals

To have students do back-of-the-envelope calculations.
To have students calculate exponential growth.
To allow students to explore the environmental and economic implications associated with transportation choices.
To help students gain a sense of the magnitude of the enormous mass of carbon dioxide emitted by automobiles.

Context for Use

The exercise is designed for a class consisting of non-science majors to illustrate important concepts for understanding global warming. It can be modified for higher-level courses and adapted to other courses related to global change. The activity is a homework problem that will take about 40 minutes. The students should be exposed to similar calculations in class.

Teaching Notes and Tips

Teaching Notes (Microsoft Word 28kB Jun29 05)

Teaching suggestions
Additional directions for discussion
Related problems and resources

Teaching Materials

Activity Description (Microsoft Word 22kB Jun29 05)

Assessment

Solution Set (Microsoft Word 22kB Jun29 05)

References and Resources

Web site for unit conversions:
http://www.onlineconversion.com/

Books:
Glover, Thomas J., Pocket Ref, Sequoia Publishing, 2002.
Harte, Consider a Spherical Cow, University Science Books.

Contact the Author

Please contact the author with questions or suggestions.

Controlled Vocabulary Terms

:
Subject: Geoscience:Atmospheric Science:Climatology , Biology, Geoscience:Atmospheric Science:Climate Change:Greenhouse gas emissions, Environmental Science:Policy:Environmental Decision-Making, Environmental Science:Ecosystems:Biogeochemical cycling, Environmental Science:Global Change and Climate:Climate Change:Greenhouse gas emissions, Environmental Science:Energy:Energy Conservation
Resource Type: Activities:Classroom Activity, Lab Activity
Quantitative Skills: Estimation, Logarithms/Exponential Functions:Exponential Growth and Decay
Special Interest: Quantitative
Ready for Use: Ready to Use
Environmental Policy: Environmental Decision-Making
Topics: Human Dimensions/Resources, Energy/Material cycles, Biosphere, Atmosphere, Climate

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