Year 9 - Science
Atmospheric carbon
Carbon cycle and climate change
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It also examines the atmosphere's composition, human-induced carbon dioxide production, and its impact on climate. Focus is on interpreting data, identifying patterns, and presenting explanations.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how too much carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere is contributing to global warming.
Key Notes
- When fuels containing carbon are burned, it is common for carbon dioxide to be made.
- Carbon dioxide is a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
- About 0.04 % of Earth's atmosphere is carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
- Too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause an increase in average global temperature, known as global warming.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Burning hydrocarbons results in harmless products.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
When fuels containing carbon are burned, it is common for carbon dioxide to be made. Carbon dioxide is a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'carbon dioxide'
a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Burning hydrocarbons results in harmless products. Correction: Teach about carbon dioxide being a greenhouse gas, and the impact on global temperatures.
More Lessons In This Unit
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