New
New
Year 9

Gases in the atmosphere

I am able to name the main gases in the atmosphere and describe the test and some uses for each one.

New
New
Year 9

Gases in the atmosphere

I am able to name the main gases in the atmosphere and describe the test and some uses for each one.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. About 79% of the atmosphere is nitrogen gas that is very unreactive.
  2. Nitrogen gas is often used to fill food packaging to provide an unreactive atmosphere.
  3. About 20% of the atmosphere is oxygen.
  4. The test for oxygen gas is that it relights a glowing splint.
  5. The test for carbon dioxide gas is that it forms a white precipitate that turns limewater milky.

Keywords

  • Atmosphere - The atmosphere is a layer of gas that surrounds a planet. It may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles.

  • Mixture - A mixture is a material that contains two or more different substances, which can be physically separated.

  • Respiration - Respiration is a chemical process that uses oxygen from the air, and glucose to provide energy for life processes.

  • Precipitate - A precipitate is an insoluble solid formed when two solutions react together.

Common misconception

The atmosphere is mostly oxygen.

Explain that the atmosphere is ~79% nitrogen and ~20% oxygen.

The tests for gases could be performed as a demonstration or class practical. An alternative test for carbon dioxide would be to blow through a straw into limewater (make sure a risk assessment is carried out first).
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the correct molecular formula for carbon dioxide?
CO
CO2
C₂O
Correct answer: CO₂
Q2.
Match the key term with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:mixture,contains different substances, which can be physically separated

contains different substances, which can be physically separated

Correct Answer:element,made from only one type of atom

made from only one type of atom

Correct Answer:compound,contains different elements chemically joined together

contains different elements chemically joined together

Q3.
Which gas is needed for respiration?
Correct Answer: oxygen, oxygen gas, O2
Q4.
Which of the following processes requires carbon dioxide?
combustion
respiration
Correct answer: photosynthesis
neutralisation
Q5.
Which key word is used to describe a layer of gas that surrounds a planet?
space
Correct answer: atmosphere
rocks
vacuum
Q6.
What is the percentage of oxygen gas in Earth's atmosphere?
79%
Correct answer: 21%
1%
0.04%

6 Questions

Q1.
Which gas makes up ~79% of Earth's atmosphere?
Correct answer: nitrogen
oxygen
argon
carbon dioxide
methane
Q2.
What is the percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?
0.04%
1%
Correct answer: 21%
79%
100%
Q3.
Which gas in our atmosphere is used to provide an unreactive atmosphere in food packaging?
Correct Answer: nitrogen gas, nitrogen, N2
Q4.
Which of the following are uses of carbon dioxide?
Correct answer: for photosynthesis by plants
Correct answer: in fire extinguishers
for plants and animals to respire
to provide an unreactive atmosphere in food packaging
Correct answer: in carbonated drinks
Q5.
Which gas will form a white precipitate when bubbled through limewater, making the limewater turn milky?
nitrogen
oxygen
argon
Correct answer: carbon dioxide
Q6.
Order the following statements to describe how to test for the presence of oxygen gas.
1 - light a splint
2 - extinguish the splint to leave a glowing splint
3 - place the glowing splint in oxygen gas
4 - the glowing splint will relight

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.