Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how changing factors in the carbon cycle affects the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over time.
Key learning points
- The combustion of fossil fuels adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere in one place will, over time, spread throughout Earth’s atmosphere.
- Plants act as carbon sinks because, as they grow, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- The decomposition or combustion of plants returns the carbon they are storing into the atmosphere.
- Human activity is adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere more quickly than it is being removed by natural processes.
Keywords
Atmosphere - a layer of gases that surrounds a planet, which may also contain particles of solids and liquids
Carbon sink - a process or system that takes more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases
Combustion - an exothermic chemical reaction in which a substance reacts with oxygen
Decomposition - the breaking down of dead organic matter by microorganisms
Common misconception
Plants can absorb all of the carbon dioxide that human activity adds to the atmosphere.
Talk to the pupils about what happens to the carbon dioxide absorbed by plants so that they understand how the size and number of plants determine the maximum amount of carbon dioxide they can store.
Teacher tip
Using numerical values may help some pupils understand that the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will continue to increase if the rate of release into the atmosphere is greater than the rate of removal.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are greenhouse gases?
Q2.What key term do we use to describe the layer of gas that surrounds a planet?
Q3.Which of the following is a correct equation for complete combustion?
Q4.Which of the following is the correct equation for respiration?
Q5.Which of the following lead to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Q6.Order the statements to describe how carbon dioxide becomes 'locked up' in sedimentary rocks.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The complete combustion of fossil fuels produces water and which other product?
Q2.Match the scientific key term with the correct definition
Organisms that break down dead and decaying matter
This shows how carbon moves between different carbon reservoirs
An exothermic reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen.
A layer of gas that surrounds a planet.
Q3.Which of the following processes does not occur in the carbon cycle?
Q4.What effect does increased ocean temperatures have on the amount of CO₂ dissolved in the oceans?
Q5.Which option best describes how far molecules of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in London will spread?
Q6.If CO₂ levels in the atmosphere are increasing, what does this tell us about the rate of addition and removal?
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 chemistry lesson on: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, 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.