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Why is the atmosphere essential to life?
The atmosphere is essential to life because it provides the necessary gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, that organisms need to survive. It also regulates temperature, protects living beings from harmful solar radiation, and plays a key role in the water cycle.
What is the atmosphere?
The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding a planet, held in place by the planet's gravity. It encompasses the air we breathe and is crucial for life on Earth.
What is the composition of the atmosphere?
The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and trace amounts of other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide, neon, and water vapor.
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Describe the Troposphere.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the Earth's surface up to about 8-15 kilometers (5-9 miles) depending on the latitude. It is where weather phenomena occur and contains most of the atmosphere's mass, including clouds and water vapor.
Describe the Stratosphere.
The stratosphere is the layer above the troposphere, reaching from about 15 kilometers to 50 kilometers (9-31 miles) above the Earth's surface. It contains the ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters ultraviolet solar radiation, protecting life on Earth.
Describe the Mesosphere.
The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere, located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, extending from 50 kilometers to about 85 kilometers (31-53 miles) in altitude. It is where most meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.
Describe the Thermosphere.
The thermosphere is the layer above the mesosphere, extending from about 85 kilometers to 600 kilometers (53-373 miles). It is characterized by a dramatic increase in temperature with altitude and is where the ionosphere is located, allowing for the formation of auroras.
Describe the Exosphere.
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere, starting at about 600 kilometers (373 miles) and extending out to about 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles). It is very thin and consists mostly of hydrogen and helium, with some heavier atoms and molecules. This layer gradually fades into space.
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Objective: Interpret Diagrams to show that Water and Gases cycle through Earth’s four Spheres - the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Various diagrams can illustrate how water and gases move between Earth's spheres, showing, for example, the evaporation of water from the hydrosphere into the atmosphere, precipitation that replenishes the biosphere and lithosphere, and the cycling of gases during photosynthesis and respiration.
Describe the biosphere and what does it include?
The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, encompassing all living organisms on Earth and their interactions with the environment. It includes terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric components that support life.
Describe the Atmosphere -
The atmosphere is a protective layer of gases surrounding the Earth, crucial for maintaining life by providing necessary gases, regulating temperature, and facilitating weather patterns and climate.
Describe the Lithosphere -
The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and the upper part of the mantle. It includes landforms, soil, and rocks, serving as a habitat for terrestrial organisms.
Describe the Hydrosphere -
The hydrosphere includes all water found on, under, and above the Earth's surface, encompassing oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and groundwater. It plays a vital role in climate regulation and the water cycle.
Page 13 - Watch this video
Read about how carbon moves through Earth’s spheres.
Describe the Carbon Cycle.
The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical process through which carbon is exchanged between the Earth's spheres, including the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. It involves processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion, allowing carbon to move and recycle within the environment.
How does Oxygen cycle through the spheres?
Oxygen cycles through the spheres primarily through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, while animals and humans use oxygen for respiration and release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
STOP Take a moment to check for understanding. Review your notes for this lesson. Go back and complete any questions you skipped before attempting the quick check. Notes can be used to help you with the quick check questions. Remember, quick checks cannot be redone.
Lesson 3: Fossil Fuels and Climate Change
Objective: Describe how burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change
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Climate Change
Is there a difference between Global Warming and Climate Change?
Page 2 - What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, primarily attributed to human activities.
What are some causes of Climate Change?
Causes of climate change include the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices, which increase greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.
Page 3 (and 5) - What is Global Warming?
Global warming refers specifically to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, primarily from human activities.
Page 4 - What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping back into space and thus helping to maintain the planet's temperature.
Page 9 - According to scientists, what caused the change in global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels?
Scientists attribute changes in global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels primarily to human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization.
Page 11 - What is the difference between global warming and climate change?
Global warming specifically refers to the increase in Earth's average temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions, while climate change encompasses broader changes in climate patterns, including temperature, precipitation, and weather events.
STOP Take a moment to check for understanding. Review your notes for this lesson. Go back and complete any questions you skipped before attempting the quick check. Notes can be used to help you with the quick check questions. Remember, quick checks cannot be redone.
Lesson 4: Human Activities that Contribute to Climate Change
Objective: Describe human activities that contribute to climate change.
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Causes and Effects of Climate Change
Page 2 - What human activities contribute to climate change?
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices significantly contribute to climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pages 3-4 Watch
Explain deforestation and how it can play a role in climate change.
Deforestation involves clearing forests for agriculture, urban development, or logging, reducing the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide. This increases the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Page 5 - Explain how farming/agriculture can play a role in climate change.
Farming practices, particularly those that use synthetic fertilizers, produce methane and nitrous oxide—potent greenhouse gases. Additionally, land-use changes for agriculture can lead to deforestation and soil degradation, further exacerbating climate change.
Page 6 - Watch
Explain how Landfills can play a role in climate change.
Landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as organic waste decomposes anaerobically. This methane contributes significantly to climate change, highlighting the need for better waste management and recycling practices.
STOP Take a moment to check for understanding. Review your notes for this lesson. Go back and complete any questions you skipped before attempting the quick check. Notes can be used to help you with the quick check questions. Remember, quick checks cannot be redone.
Lesson 5: Polar Ice and Climate Change
Objective: Explain how melting polar ice contributes to cycles that affect climate change.
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Disappearing Arctic Sea Ice
Pages 2 - How does the loss of sea ice impact climate change?
The loss of sea ice reduces the Earth's albedo effect, meaning less sunlight is reflected back into space. This leads to increased absorption of heat by the ocean, contributing to further warming and accelerating ice melt.
Page 3 - 4 Why are scientists concerned about the loss of sea ice?
Scientists are concerned about the loss of sea ice because it contributes to rising sea levels, disrupts marine ecosystems, and accelerates climate change through feedback loops. The loss of habitat for polar species also poses significant ecological concerns.
Page 7 - What is polar ice and why are scientists concerned about a decrease in polar ice on Earth?
Polar ice includes glaciers and sea ice found in polar regions. Scientists worry about the decrease in polar ice because it affects global sea levels, disrupts weather patterns, and has a profound impact on wildlife and ecosystems dependent on these ice habitats.