Labs

One of the key ideas in understanding global warming is the role of the albedo - the proportion of incoming shortwave solar radiation that is reflected back to space by clouds and by the Earth's surface. Another is the greenhouse effect, which refers to the way in which outgoing long-wave radiation from the Earth is absorbed by certain 'greenhouse' gases. This software uses animation to good effect in presenting both these ideas.

There are two 'In the Lab' sections to this program, each presenting a virtual experiment. The first looks at the sun and the seasons, while the second explores the influence of colour on albedo by simulating shining a light on two containers coloured black and silver. You must read a thermometer placed in each container at one-minute intervals. Once the table of numbers is complete you plot the data. This demonstration and the statements that have to be completed by choosing the correct word are an excellent learning aid.

The presentation has 456 slides. As well as a menu divided into 12 sections, there's a useful visual index that enables users to go directly to slides of interest.