Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
I can explain how changing factors in the carbon cycle affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over time.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
I can explain how changing factors in the carbon cycle affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over time.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Burning fossil fuels adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide produced from a combustion reaction may eventually spread throughout Earth’s atmosphere.
- Increased ocean temperatures reduce the quantity of carbon dioxide that is dissolved in them.
- The difference between the rates of addition and removal of carbon dioxide changes its overall levels in the atmosphere.
Keywords
Carbon cycle - The carbon cycle shows how carbon moves between different carbon reservoirs including the atmosphere, oceans and land on Earth.
Atmosphere - The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds a planet. It may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles.
Combustion - Combustion is an exothermic reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen.
Decomposers - Decomposers are organisms which break down dead and decaying matter.
Common misconception
Plants can absorb all excess carbon dioxide.
There are limits of carbon dioxide absorption by plants.
To help you plan your year 11 chemistry lesson on: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 chemistry lesson on: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Atmosphere and changing climate unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Organisms that break down dead and decaying matter
This shows how carbon moves between different carbon reservoirs
An exothermic reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen.
A layer of gas that surrounds a planet.