C13 The Earth’s Atmosphere

1. C13 The Earth’s Atmosphere C13.1 History of our atmosphere C13.2 Our evolving atmosphere C13.3 Greenhouse gasses C13.4 Global climate change C13.5 Atmospheric pollutants Name: ………………………….. Class………………

2. Learning Outcomes During this personal learning project, you will be guided towards activities to help you achieve the following outcomes: • To know a theory about how our atmosphere developed. • To know how to interpret evidence and evaluate different theories about the Earth’s early atmosphere, given appropriate information. • To know the main changes in the atmosphere over time and some of the likely causes of these changes. • To know the relative proportions of gases in our atmosphere now. • To know how the greenhouse effect operates. • To know the importance of peer review of results and communicating results to a wise range of audiences. • To know how emissions of carbon dioxide and methane can be reduced. • To know why actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may be limited. • To know how to discuss the scale, risk, and environmental implications of global climate change. • To know the products of combustion of a fuel, given the composition of a fuel and the conditions in which it is used. • To know the problems caused by increased amounts of pollutants in the air.

3. Web Quest The Earth’s Atmosphere For 200 million years, the proportions of different gases in the atmosphere have been much the same as they are today: • Find out! • How old is the Earth? • How has the the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere changed over time? • What has caused the Earth’s atmosphere to change over time? Useful websites; http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zt6g87h/revision Browse: ‘The Earth’s Atmosphere’ in Doddle Find out the percentage of the different gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere. Draw a pie chart to show the percentage of the gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere.

4. Web Quest The Earth’s Atmosphere The Earth’s atmosphere has been changing for over 4.5 billion years. Theories about how the atmosphere was formed have changed and developed over time. There are several factors that have lead to the atmosphere evolving to what it is today. Visit the websites to find out the answers to the  questions. Use the following page to map your answers. Useful Websites BBC BitesizeYoutube

5. Mapping sheet

6. Use the sources on the previous pages as well as the information you have found to create a timeline showing major changes to the Earth’s atmosphere. Timeline 4.5 Billion years ago…

7. Web Quest The Earth’s Atmosphere Over time, the level of CO2 in our atmosphere has been decreased by the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels, e.g. coal and oil. The carbon in carbon dioxide has been ‘Locked-up’ inside of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels. Visit the websites to find out the answers to the  questions in this mapping sheet. Use the mapping sheet on the next slide to structure your answers. Useful Websites 1)BBC Bitesize 1) YouTube 2) YouTube

8. Where does the carbon in limestone come from? Where does the carbon in crude oil come from? Where does the carbon in coal come from? What is the name of the carbon containing compound in limestone? What is the name of the carbon containing compounds in crude oil? How long does it take to form coal and oil? Describe the conditions needed to make sedimentary rocks like limestone Describe the conditions needed to make crude oil. Describe the conditions needed to make coal.

9. C13.3 Greenhouse gases Web quest BBC Bitesize Video S-cool Revision Explain what is meant by the ‘greenhouse effect’. You can use a diagram to support your explanation. Describe the effect of greenhouse gases on wavelength. Some human activities increase the amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The two main gases are… These gases are released into the atmosphere by…

10. Weighing up the evidence – Graph analysis Draw an appropriate graph to display the data in the table. You can use ICT or the graph paper included in this booklet. What is the pattern? What can you conclude? What factors may affect your conclusion?

11. C13.4 Global climate change Web quest BBC bitesize Results of global warming

12. The carbon footprint What is meant by the term ‘carbon footprint’? Fill the image below with factors which add to your carbon footprint, use bigger font for the factors which you think contribute the most. The steps to reduce carbon emissions… Problems with reducing the carbon footprint..

13. Atmospheric pollutants When carbon-based fuels are burned, there are different outcomes depending on the amount of oxygen present. There are also by-products due to the presence of impurities in the fuels, and gasses which are present when the fuel is burned. The thermal energy released from the fuel can cause these substance to react and form harmful products. Complete combustion: Fuel + Sufficient Oxygen  Carbon dioxide + Water Incomplete combustion: Fuel + Insufficient Oxygen  Carbon monoxide + Carbon particulates + Water

14. For each of the combustion products listed below, indicate: • where they come from / how they are formed. • The effect they have on the planet and it’s atmosphere.