Some resources from federal government sites are currently unavailable; when possible, we’ve provided alternative non-government links to ensure continued data access.

Hands-on Greenhouse Gas Molecule Models

Provided by: CLEAN |Published on: November 26, 2025

Videos

345678

Synopsis

This video, provided by CLEAN, describes how the nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere are different from the carbon dioxide molecules, using tennis ball models of the molecules to demonstrate the differences.
Students will learn why those differences matter for the greenhouse effect and why other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum aren’t affected by those differences.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Science, Chemistry

Authors: Climate Science Demonstrations

Region: Global

Languages: English

View Resource

Teaching Materials

Positives

This video is less than 4 minutes, well-paced, and simple to follow.
If given the chance to make their own, students will benefit from the hands-on experience.

Prerequisites

Students should already have some background knowledge of our atmosphere and a general understanding of the greenhouse effect.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers can use these models as a hands-on component in a lesson about molecules, atomic structure, the electromagnetic spectrum, greenhouse gases, or climate change.
After a unit or lesson about climate change and greenhouse gases, students can demonstrate their understanding by creating these models and taking them to younger students or other teachers to demonstrate how they are related to climate change.
Have students explore methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) as well, then compare them to carbon dioxide and see if students can guess which molecule is the best at trapping heat.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

CLEAN

The CLEAN Network is a professionally diverse community of over 630 members committed to improving climate and energy literacy locally, regionally, nationally, and globally in order to enable responsible decisions and actions. The CLEAN Network has been a dynamic group since 2008 and is now led by the CLEAN Leadership Board established in 2016.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.