Earth's atmosphere (approximate values)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the composition of Earth's atmosphere.
Key learning points
- The atmosphere comprises ~80% nitrogen and ~20% oxygen.
- The atmosphere contains small proportions of various other gases, including CO₂, water vapour and noble gases.
- 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.
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 - Water in a liquid or solid state that falls towards Earth is called precipitation.
Altitude - The distance above sea level is known as altitude.
Particulates - Particulates are very small particles of solids and liquids that are suspended in air.
Common misconception
The atmosphere is mostly oxygen. The same atmospheric conditions exist at all heights.
Explain that the atmosphere is ~80% nitrogen and ~20% oxygen. Discuss how atmospheric conditions vary with altitude, affecting oxygen availability.
Teacher tip
This lesson is a good opportunity to recap elements, compounds and mixtures. Check students understand the elements and compounds that make up air (mixture).
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following will you find in the Earth's atmosphere?
Q2.What percentage of the Earth's atmosphere is carbon dioxide?
Q3.Which word is used to describe a substance that contains two or more different substances which are not chemically combined?
Q4.Which word is used to describe the mass per unit volume?
Q5.The atmosphere is ...
Q6.Which gas in our atmosphere is essential for life on Earth?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?
Q2.Which is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere?
Q3.What molecule does the atmosphere contain as a vapour, as well as in the liquid and solid states?
Q4.Why is it difficult for humans to breathe sufficient oxygen at high altitudes?
Q5.What is the name for very small particles of solids and liquids that are suspended in air?
Q6.At high altitudes such as the top of Everest, how does the composition of the atmosphere compare to at sea level?
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Earth's atmosphere (approximate values), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Earth's atmosphere (approximate values), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Atmosphere and changing climate unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.