Atmospheric carbon
I can describe how too much carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere is contributing to global warming.
Atmospheric carbon
I can describe how too much carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere is contributing to global warming.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When fuels containing carbon are burned, it is common for carbon dioxide to be made.
- Carbon dioxide is a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
- About 0.04 % of Earth’s atmosphere is carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
- Too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause an increase in average global temperature, known as global warming.
Keywords
Carbon dioxide - a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms
Methane - a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms
Atmosphere - a layer of gases that surrounds a planet and may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles
Greenhouse gas - a gas that contributes to global warming by reducing the amount of radiation leaving Earth’s atmosphere
Global warming - the increase in Earth’s global temperature, likely caused by higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Common misconception
Burning hydrocarbons results in harmless products.
Teach about carbon dioxide being a greenhouse gas, and the impact on global temperatures.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Atmospheric carbon, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Atmospheric carbon, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Carbon cycle and climate change unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
CO₂
H₂O
O₂
a layer of gases that surrounds a planet
absorb infrared (IR) radiation and trap ‘heat’ in the atmosphere
the long-term increase in Earth's surface temperature
molecules made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms