Starter quiz
- Which of the following will you find in the Earth's atmosphere?
- aluminium
- gold
- nitrogen ✓
- zinc
-
- What percentage of the Earth's atmosphere is carbon dioxide?
- less than 1% ✓
- 1%
- more than 1%
-
- Which word is used to describe a substance that contains two or more different substances which are not chemically combined?
- 'mixture' ✓
- Which term is used to describe the mass per unit volume?
- displacement
- density ✓
- velocity
- temperature
-
- The atmosphere is ...
- the space that exists between Earth and the Sun.
- all the living organisms within an ecosystem.
- a layer of gas that surrounds a planet. ✓
-
- Which gas in our atmosphere is essential for life on Earth?
- 'oxygen' ✓
Exit quiz
- What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?
- 78%
- 21% ✓
- 1%
- 0.04%
-
- Which is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?
- 'nitrogen' ✓
- What molecule does the atmosphere contain as a vapour, as well as in the liquid and solid states?
- 'water' ✓
- Why is it difficult for humans to breathe sufficient oxygen at high altitudes?
- the air pressure increases at high altitudes
- air is more dense at high altitudes
- there are less oxygen molecules per volume of air at high altitudes ✓
-
- What is the name for very small particles of solids and liquids that are suspended in air?
- 'particulates' ✓
- At high altitudes such as the top of Everest, how does the composition of the atmosphere compare to at sea level?
- there is a higher percentage of nitrogen
- there is a lower percentage of oxygen
- the percentage composition of gases is the same ✓
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The atmosphere comprises 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon and trace gases including 0.04% carbon dioxide.
- The atmosphere thins out with height which makes it harder for humans to breathe sufficient oxygen at high altitude.
- The atmosphere contains water, mainly in its gas state but in its liquid (or solid) state in clouds and precipitation.
- The atmosphere also contains a wide range of solid particulates.
Common misconception
The atmosphere is mostly oxygen. The same atmospheric conditions exist at all heights.
Explain that the atmosphere is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Discuss how atmospheric conditions vary with altitude, affecting oxygen availability.
Keywords
Atmosphere - The atmosphere is a layer of gas that surrounds a planet. It may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles.
Composition - Composition is the substances and their proportions that make something up.
Precipitation - Precipitation is water in a liquid or solid state that falls towards Earth.
Altitude - Altitude is the distance above sea level.
Particulates - Particulates are very small particles of solids and liquids that are suspended in air.
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