Key learning points

1. When fuels containing carbon are burned, it is common for carbon dioxide to be made.
2. Carbon dioxide is a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
3. About 0.04 % of Earth’s atmosphere is carbon dioxide.
4. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
5. Too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause an increase in average global temperature, known as global warming.

Keywords

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

• Methane - a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms

• Atmosphere - a layer of gases that surrounds a planet and may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles

• Greenhouse gas - a gas that contributes to global warming by reducing the amount of radiation leaving Earth’s atmosphere

• Global warming - the increase in Earth’s global temperature, likely caused by higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Common misconception