Download Environmental Science Name: Atmosphere and Climate Goal: The

Environmental Science
Name: ______________________________
Atmosphere and Climate
Goal: The student will explain why the Earth’s atmosphere is like the glass in a greenhouse and explain why
carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising.
Vocabulary:
1. greenhouse gases
Notes: Chapter 7.3: Greenhouse Earth and Global Warming
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When you get into a car in the _______________________, you may notice that it is _____________________ in
the car than outside the car. This occurs when light energy from the _____________ streams in through the glass
(absorbed by the carpet and upholstery and is changed into heat energy. Heat energy cannot flow back
_____________ through the _________________, it gets trapped by the glass and continues to heat up
This is the same principle which is applied when building a ____________________________ for growing plants
The Greenhouse Effect
• Earth is similar to a greenhouse; ___________________________________ is icy cold, Earth’s atmosphere acts
like the glass of a greenhouse ______________________________ the heat from the sunlight
• Heat __________________________ up from the Earth, some _______________________ into space but most is
trapped by the gases in the troposphere and ______________ the air; this process is called the greenhouse effect.
• Not all gases __________________ this heat, but the ones that do are called greenhouse gases (water vapor,
carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (______________), methane and nitrous oxide)
• Water vapor and carbon dioxide are the ______________________ important
Measuring Carbon Dioxide in Our Atmosphere
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1958, Scientist, Charles Keeling installed instruments in ___________________(Mauna Loa volcano) to measure
the amount of CO2 in the air; ________________________ blow pretty steady and have come thousands of miles
across the Pacific Ocean
By 1994, those levels had more drastic differences, _________________________ levels did not fall as low as in
1958 and ______________________________levels were higher (358 ppm)
During ________________________________________, plants take in carbon dioxide, release oxygen; carbon is
not returned to the air until the plant __________________ or the leaves fall
Most of the ______________ released into the air dissolves in the ocean or is used by ___________________ for
photosynthesis; causing CO2 levels in the air to vary with the ______________________; summer, CO2 levels
___________________________ (plants use it), in winter, CO2 levels naturally __________________
Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels
• In less than 50 years, CO2 levels in the atmosphere have _________________________ by over 20%
• Carbon is released into the air when _______________________________ these fossil fuels and when burning
plants; ___________________________ of tons of carbon dioxide is released into the air from power plants
• They have been able to determine CO2 levels in the atmosphere for thousands of years by analyzing
__________________________________ drilled from ice sheets; much higher levels today than they have been
for probably the last __________million years.
Greenhouse Gases and the Earth’s Temperature
• Greenhouse ________________are trapped near the Earth’s surface; scientists feel this will result in a
___________________________ Earth.
• Data collect over the last 400,000 years supports that view
• Today, we are ________________________________ more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other
greenhouse gas; power plants _______________coal or oil, cars burn gasoline, millions of _______________are
being burned in tropical rainforests…all this is contributing to the ______________________ of CO2 in our
atmosphere
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We are also releasing significant amounts of other greenhouse gases like CFC’s, methane and nitrous oxide
Scientist feel that with the ___________________________ gases we will be raising the Earth’s temperature by
at least 2° by 2050 (global warming)
Lesson Reflection:
Using your books, on page 181, complete the handout How the Greenhouse Effect Works.
Assessment:
1. Describe the process by which Chlorofluorocarbons destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
2. Describe the process by which the ozone hole forms over Antarctica in spring.
Lesson Extension (Technology/Application/Connection to Real World):
Writing Assignment: Do you think the average seasonal temperatures have changed during the past few
years? How do you think recent temperatures compare with temperatures from thousands or millions of years
ago? How might a climate change affect Earth’s environment?
YouTube Video: 6 Degrees Could Change the Earth (30 min)