Lesson 4: How Does Speeding Up Affect Carbon Dioxide Emissions?

Carbon dioxide is classified as a greenhouse gas. The presence of this gas is often reported as a factor in our changing climate. Cars emit carbon dioxide as a waste product when the car’s fuel is burned to make energy to power the car. Does increasing your car’s speed affect how much carbon dioxide your car makes?

Here are some definitions to help you in your investigation.

Carbon dioxide - a molecule of one atom of carbon bonded to two atoms of oxygen

Emissions - a substance released or given off

Acceleration - speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction

Doing the science

1. Select the Sim tab to open the Acceleration simulation.
2. Select the red car on the right side of the screen by clicking on the car.
3. Select a speed of 20 m/s. Make sure to record your selected speed value.
4. Allow a couple of seconds for the car to reach a constant speed. The acceleration dialog box appears when the car reaches a constant speed.
5. Choose an acceleration value of 2 m/s². Allow the simulation to run.
6. Select the “Display Data” option. Click on the “CO₂ Emission” graph tab. Enter the maximum value in table 1.
7. Select the "Restart" option.
8. Repeat steps 9–12 with an acceleration of 6 m/s².
9. Select the “Display Data” option. Click on the “CO₂ Emission” graph tab. Enter the maximum value in table 1.
10. Select the “Restart” option.
11. Choose an acceleration value of 6 m/s². Allow the simulation to run.
12. Select the “Display Data” option. Click on the “CO₂ Emission” graph tab. Enter the maximum value in table 1.