Greenhouse gases are gases that are responsible for the greenhouse effect by absorbing lower frequency IR radiation and trapping ‘heat’ in the atmosphere.

Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that we can feel as heat.

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point per second.

Global warming is the increase in Earth's average temperature, likely to be caused by increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Greenhouse gases

Combined science

In the Industrial chemistry unit, pupils will learn about chemical, industrial, environmental and economic factors of some large-scale chemical processes.

In the Carbon Cycle and Climate Change unit, pupils learned about the carbon cycle, the formation of sedimentary rocks, and the impact of burning fossil fuels.

Atmosphere and changing climate

Which of the following are greenhouse gases?

Which of the following human activities have led to increased levels of greenhouse gases? 

How does the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface differ from the infrared radiation emitted from the Sun?

absorb lower frequency IR radiation and radiate in all directions

absorb higher frequency IR radiation and radiate in all directions

absorb lower frequency UV radiation and radiate in all directions

absorb higher frequency UV radiation and radiate in all directions

it helps maintain a stable temperature on Earth

Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect are true?

What key term is used to describe an increase in Earth's average temperature?

Complete combustion occurs when a fuel burns in a limited supply of oxygen.

Complete combustion occurs when a fuel burns in a plentiful supply of oxygen.

The products are carbon dioxide and water.

The products are carbon monoxide and water.

Which of the following statements about complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels is correct?

Why is carbon dioxide considered an atmospheric pollutant?

Match the greenhouse gas to the correct molecular formula.

carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase

the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will remain the same

the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease

What impact may deforestation have on the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

 What key term is used to describe the number of waves that pass a point per second?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Greenhouse gases

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.