Commentary
What Does a Ton of CO2 Look Like?
March 10th, 2008 by jayb
Dave Ames, a science teacher at Cohasset High School in Cohasset, Massachusetts built a large cube that represents the size of 1 ton of carbon dioxide. Take a look.
OK, yes. CO2 (carbon dioxide) is invisible. But it's still interesting to see how much space a ton of CO2 would take up if it were sitting in front of you.
In this case, we are talking about a metric ton of CO2 which is 2,204 pounds. Mr. Ames' cube, built last year with the help of his 9th grade physics students, is 27 feet wide by 27 feet high by 27 feet deep.
Photo via http://www.sustainablemilton.org.
Three cheers to Mr. Ames and his students for helping us get our minds around 1 ton of CO2.
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Comments
courtney said...
is this really true
Posted on: March 18th, 2008 at 1:21pm
said...
Courtney, does 27 feet by 27 feet by 27 feet seem too small or too large to you?
Posted on: March 18th, 2008 at 9:10pm
marcie said...
this dosent look true:)
Posted on: May 29th, 2008 at 3:13pm
Stephen Streed said...
If a metric ton of CO2 is 2,204 pounds, why does it float up into the atmosphere, and not stay on the ground?
Posted on: July 4th, 2008 at 6:07pm
Dr Merrin said...
The question about gas floating up.
It is just like why if oil has a weight does it float on top of water?
Posted on: July 17th, 2008 at 4:10am
bilard said...
Wow! It’s big but it’s only one ton of CO2.
Posted on: August 8th, 2008 at 6:31am
greer said...
Great work!
Our Council is putting together a display for the community to educate and encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint. Would you be able to use your image on our website please.
Thanks
Greer
Posted on: December 9th, 2009 at 9:20pm