Year 8 - Science
Impacts of transport on the greenhouse effect
Climate change and greenhouse gases
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils learn about greenhouse gas emissions from transport and industry, and the use of renewable energy resources and changes to transport infrastructure that could reduce emissions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to compare the impact of different types of transport on global warming.
Key Notes
- Burning fuels for transport produces greenhouse gases, other pollutant gases, and particulates.
- Petrol and diesel vehicles burn fuels, while electric vehicles do not, but fuels may be burned to generate electricity.
- The energy use of planes, trains, cars, ships, and buses can be compared.
- Vehicles use energy and resources during manufacturing.
- Parts of vehicles may become waste at the end of their useful lives.
Vocabulary To Learn
- greenhouse gases: gases in the atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without them
- particulates: solid particles and liquid droplets in the air
- contrail: the white cloud-like trail behind an aeroplane made of ice crystals
- recycle: to convert waste material into new products
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Greenhouse gases are only emitted in the life of a vehicle when it is moving.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Burning fuels for transport produces greenhouse gases, other pollutant gases, and particulates. Petrol and diesel vehicles burn fuels, while electric vehicles do not, but fuels may be burned to generate electricity.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'greenhouse gases'
gases in the atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without them. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Greenhouse gases are only emitted in the life of a vehicle when it is moving. Correction: Discuss greenhouse gas emissions caused by the extraction of resources, production of materials, manufacturing of parts and the vehicle itself, as well as the recycling and disposal of the vehicle at the end of its life.
More Lessons In This Unit
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