Starter quiz
- Which of the following statements about complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels is correct?
- 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.
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- Why is carbon dioxide considered an atmospheric pollutant?
- it is an odourless, colourless toxic gas
- it causes global dimming
- it contributes to global warming ✓
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- Match the greenhouse gas to the correct molecular formula.
- methane⇔CH₄ ✓
- carbon dioxide⇔CO₂ ✓
- water vapour⇔H₂O ✓
- What is the equation for photosynthesis?
- carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen ✓
- glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
- methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
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- What impact may deforestation have on the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
- 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
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- What key term is used to describe the number of waves that pass a point per second?
- 'frequency' ✓
Exit quiz
- Which of the following are greenhouse gases?
- methane ✓
- carbon dioxide ✓
- water vapour ✓
- nitrogen
- sulfur dioxide
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- Which of the following human activities have led to increased levels of greenhouse gases?
- combustion of fossil fuels ✓
- photosynthesis
- deforestation ✓
- cattle farming ✓
- landfill sites ✓
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- How does the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface differ from the infrared radiation emitted from the Sun?
- it is a longer wavelength ✓
- it is shorter wavelength
- it is a higher frequency
- it is a lower frequency ✓
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- What do greenhouse gases do?
- 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
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- Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect are true?
- it is a natural phenomenom ✓
- it is essential for life on Earth
- it produces greenhouse gases ✓
- it helps maintain a stable temperature on Earth ✓
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- What key term is used to describe an increase in Earth's average temperature?
- 'global warming' ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Carbon dioxide and methane are common greenhouse gasses.
- Greenhouse gases reduce the amount of lower frequency IR that can escape from Earth’s atmosphere.
- Greenhouse gases do not reduce the amount of higher frequency IR radiation entering the atmosphere from the Sun.
- If the rate energy is transferred into the atmosphere exceeds the rate it is transferred out, average temperatures rise.
- An increasing average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere is called global warming.
Common misconception
All greenhouse gases are artificial and harmful. Increasing any greenhouse gas is bad.
Explain the natural occurrence and necessity of greenhouse gases. Discuss the balance needed in greenhouse gas concentrations.
Keywords
Greenhouse gas - 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 - Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that we can feel as heat.
Frequency - Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point per second.
Global warming - Global warming is the increase in Earth's average temperature, likely to be caused by increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
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