Carbon dioxide is a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surround a planet. It may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles.

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared (IR) radiation emitted from Earth.

An increase in Earth’s surface temperature is known as global warming.

Atmospheric carbon

Science

In the Atmosphere and Changing Climate unit, pupils will build on their understanding of the carbon cycle and climate change to explore the evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, and the effects and mitigation of increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane.

In the Earth's Resources unit, pupils learned about the composition of rock, the interior of the Earth, and how igneous and metamorphic rocks are made by heating.

Carbon cycle and climate change

When a fuel containing carbon is burned which of the following may be produced?

Carbon dioxide is a compound containing ...

What is the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

What do well call the gases that absorb infrared (IR) radiation emitted from Earth, and trap ‘heat’ in the atmosphere?

an increase in Earth’s surface temperature

a decrease in Earth's surface temperature

Which of the following are examples of fossil fuels?

What scientific name do we give to substances made from only one type of atom?

Match the molecules with the correct molecular formula.

Apart from a fuel, what else is needed for combustion?

absorb infrared (IR) radiation and trap ‘heat’ in the atmosphere

an increase in Earth’s surface temperature 

molecules made of hydrogen and carbon atoms only

Match the following key terms with the correct definitions.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Atmospheric carbon

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.