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Science
Quarter 4 – Week 3 - Module 3:
Solar Energy and the
Atmosphere

AIRs - LM
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Lesson SOLAR ENERGY AND THE ATMOSPHERE

Target

HELLO? How are you today? In the previous lesson, you learned that the
presence of different natural resources in the Philippines is related to the country’s
location. You also have learned that the climate in a certain area depends on its
latitude. Today, you are going to learn about the envelope of air that surrounds the
Earth where all weather events happen – the atmosphere. Are you ready for another
round of learning? Okay, prepare yourself and explore the earth’s atmosphere.

After going through this module, you are expected to attain the following
objectives:

Learning Competency:

Discuss how energy from the Sun interacts with the layers of the atmosphere
( S7ES-IVd-5 )

Subtasks:

1. describe the features of each of the layers of the atmosphere;

2. describe what the atmosphere is composed of; and
3. explain how some human activities affect the atmosphere.
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Pre-test

Directions: Read each item carefully. Write only the letter of the correct answer
for each item. Use a separate sheet for your answers.

1. What refers to the envelope of air that surrounds the earth?

A. Atmosphere B. Biosphere C. Hydrosphere D.
Lithosphere

2. What is the most abundant gas in the earth’s atmosphere?

A. Argon B. Carbon dioxide C. Nitrogen D. Oxygen

3. In which layer of the earth’s atmosphere do all weather phenomena

take place?
A. Exosphere B. Mesosphere C. Stratosphere D.
Troposphere

4. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

A. Mesosphere B. Stratosphere C. Thermosphere D. Troposphere

5. The layer after the mesosphere where air is very thin is called the .
A. Mesosphere B. Stratosphere C. Thermosphere D. Troposphere

6. What layer of the earth’s atmosphere merges into space?

A. Exosphere B. Mesosphere C. Stratosphere D. Troposphere

7. Which of the following gases are present in the atmosphere?

A. Water vapor B. Carbon dioxide and Ozone
C. Oxygen and Nitrogen D. All of these

8. In the troposphere, what happens to the temperature as altitude/height

increases?
A. It decreases. B. It decreases then
increases
C. It increases D. It remains the same

9. What is the process where greenhouse gases trap the heat in the earth’s
atmosphere?
A. Global warming B. Greenhouse effect
C. Thermal expansion D. Thermal heating

10.What is the correct order of the layers of the atmosphere from bottom to top?
A. Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
B. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere, Mesosphere
C. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
D. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Exosphere, Thermosphere
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11.In the stratosphere, as altitude/height increases, temperature .

A. decreases B. decreases then increases
C. increases D. remains the same

12.The following are greenhouse gases EXCEPT .

A. Carbon dioxide B. Methane C. Nitrous gases D. Oxygen

13.What refers to the increase in the average temperature of the earth’s

atmosphere due to increased greenhouse gases?
A. Global warming B. Greenhouse effect
C. Thermal expansion D. Thermal heating

14.Why is the presence of ozone layer in the stratosphere important for the
living things on earth?
A. It helps in cloud formation.
B. It keeps the earth’s surface cold.
C. It warms the surface of the earth.
D. It protects the earth from UV rays.

15.What happens when there is no greenhouse effect?

A. The earth would be very cold.
B. The earth would be very warm.
C. Ultraviolet rays can penetrate the earth.
D. Ultraviolet rays cannot penetrate the earth.

Jumpstart
Activity: “What’s Missing?”

Direction: Supply the missing letters to come up with the concepts that you will be
learning from this lesson.

1. A __ M SP ER

2. S T __ A OS H E __ E

3. RO O PH R

4. ES S H RE

5. T H R O SP E E
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6. E O P E E

7. Z NE L Y R
8. G R E H US E F CT

9. LO AL W RM NG

10. C RB N I XI E

Discover
The Earth’s Atmosphere

The earth is completely surrounded by a thick blanket of gases known as the

Atmosphere. This is invisible but we can feel its presence around us. About 99% of
the gases that make up the atmosphere lie within 30 km from earth’s surface.

The atmosphere is divided into five (5) layers based on temperature: the
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere (see fig. 1).

Fig.1: Layers of the Atmosphere

Source: Science 7 LM, first Edition 2017

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The troposphere, where most of the air is found, is the layer closest to
Earth’s surface. Temperature here decreases with increasing height, so the
temperature just above the ground is hotter than the temperature high above.
Weather occurs in this layer because it contains most of the water vapor. Air in the
troposphere is constantly moving. As a result, aircraft flying through the
troposphere may have a very bumpy ride – what we know as turbulence.

Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere that extends to about 50 km

from Earth’s surface. Many jet aircraft fly in this layer because it is very stable. The
temperature here increases with height. We find here the ozone layer that absorbs
much of the Sun’s harmful radiation (UV rays) that would otherwise be dangerous
to plant and animal life.

The layer between 50 km and 80 km above the Earth’s surface is the

mesosphere- the coldest layer. Air in this layer is very thin and cold. Near the top of
the mesosphere, at the zone called mesopause, temperature decreases to about
-800C. Meteors or rock fragments burn up in the
mesosphere.

Beyond the mesosphere is the thermosphere which is between 80 km and

110 km above the Earth. Due to the absorption of solar energy in this layer, the
temperature increases rapidly with altitude. Within this layer is the ionosphere- a
layer of electrically charged particles. Space shuttles fly in this area and it is also
where the auroras are found. Auroras are caused when the solar wind strikes gases
in the atmosphere above the Poles. The upper limit of our atmosphere is the
exosphere. This layer of the atmosphere merges into space. Satellites are stationed
in this area, 500 km to 1000 km from Earth.

More than three fourths of the earth’s atmosphere is made up of Nitrogen

(78.%) while one fifth is Oxygen (21%). The remaining 1% is a mixture of carbon
dioxide, water vapor, ozone and other gases. These gases not only produce
important weather features such as cloud and rain, but also have considerable
influence on the overall climate of the Earth, through the greenhouse effect and
global warming.

Greenhouse Effect

Earth’s atmosphere contains trace gases such as carbon dioxide, water

vapor, methane, and ozone. Like the glass in a greenhouse, the trace gases have a
similar effect on the Sun’s rays. They allow sunlight to pass through,
resulting in the warming up of the Earth’s surface. But they absorb the
energy coming from the Earth’s surface, keeping the Earth’s temperature
suitable for life on Earth. The process by which the Earth’s atmosphere
warms up is called ‘greenhouse effect’ and the trace gases are referred to as
‘greenhouse gases’(see fig. 2 in the next page).
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Fig.2: Greenhouse Effect

Source: Science 7 LM, first Edition 2017

The ‘greenhouse effect’ is a natural process and it warms the Earth. Without
the greenhouse effect, Earth would be very cold, too cold for living things, such as
plants and animals. Having the right amount of greenhouse gases is what gives
earth the right temperature for people and other living things to live.

Due to the increasing use of fossil fuels (coal, crude oil and natural gas),
burning of forestlands for agricultural production, cutting down and burning of
trees, decaying of agricultural products, and other human activities, the
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been increasing. Recent
studies report that in 2000-2009, carbon dioxide rose by 2.0 ppm per year. In
2011, the level is higher than at any time during the last 800 thousand years. More
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases means that more heat is trapped in
Earth’s atmosphere. More heat cannot return back into space. More heat trapped
by the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases means a warmer Earth.

The increasing temperature phenomenon due to “enhanced greenhouse

effect” is known as “global warming”. Global means that all countries and people
around the world are affected even if that country is not a major contributor of
greenhouse gases. Many scientists now agree that many human activities emit
more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, making the natural greenhouse effect
stronger. If we carry on polluting the atmosphere with greenhouse gases, it will
have a dangerous effect on the Earth. Scientists have made many projections about
how global warming will affect weather, glacial ice, sea levels, agriculture, wildlife,
and human health. Many changes linked to rising temperatures are already being
observed.
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Explore

Activity 1. “Know Me Right”

Direction:

First column: List down the layers of the atmosphere in their proper order- from
closest to the earth’s surface (1) to the farthest (5).

Second column: Describe each layer of the atmosphere

LAYER OF THE ATMOSPHERE DESCRIPTION

5. :
( farthest from earth’s surface)

4. :

3. :

2. :

1. :
(closest to earth’s surface)

Activity 2. “Say Something About Me”

Direction: Say something about each of the following concepts.

1. Greenhouse effect

2. Global warming
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Deepen

Activity 1. “Who Am I?”

Direction: Identify what is described in each of the following statements. Choose

your answers from the word bank below.

Atmosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere,

Ozone layer, Ionosphere, Greenhouse effect, Global warming, Nitrogen, Carbon
dioxide

1. Thick blanket of gases that surrounds the earth

2. Most abundant gas in the earth’s atmosphere
3. Layer of the atmosphere closest to earth’s surface, where weather occurs
4. Layer of the atmosphere where the ozone layer is found
5. Earth’s protective layer against UV rays, found in the stratosphere
6. The coldest layer of the atmosphere.
7. Layer of the atmosphere where the ionosphere is found
8. Layer of the atmosphere which merges into the space
9. The natural process by which the Earth’s atmosphere warms up
10.The increasing temperature phenomenon due to increased amounts of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Activity 2: “In or Out?”

Direction: Analyze each statement carefully. If it is true, write In; if it is false, write
Out.
1. More than three fourths of the earth’s atmosphere is made up of oxygen.
2. Carbon dioxide, methane gas, water vapor and ozone are greenhouse gases.
3. Nitrogen is also a greenhouse gas.
4. In the troposphere, temperature increases as height/altitude increases.
5. Temperature increases as height increases in the stratosphere.
6. Aircrafts flying in the stratosphere may experience bumpy ride or turbulence.
7. Air in the thermosphere is very thin and cold.
8. Without greenhouse effect, the earth would be very cold for living things to
live.
9. More carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases means that more heat is
trapped in Earth’s atmosphere.
10.Cutting of trees and burning them do not contribute to global warming.
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Gauge

Directions: Read each item carefully. Write only the letter of the correct answer
for each question. Use a separate sheet for your answers.

1. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

A. Mesosphere B. Stratosphere C. Thermosphere D.
Troposphere

2. As altitude increases, temperature decreases in the _.

A. Exosphere B. Stratosphere C. Thermosphere D.
Troposphere

3. In what layer of the atmosphere do meteors or rock fragments burn up?

A. Mesosphere B. Stratosphere C. Thermosphere D.
Troposphere

4. In the thermosphere, as height increases, temperature .

A. decreases B. increases
C. increases then decreases D. remains the same

5. What is the upper limit of the atmosphere where satellites are stationed?
A. Exosphere B. Stratosphere C. Thermosphere D.
Troposphere

6. The following are greenhouse gases EXCEPT .

A. Carbon dioxide B. Methane and ozone
C. Nitrogen and Oxygen D. Water vapor and Nitrous
oxides

7. In which layer of the atmosphere is most water vapor found?

A. Exosphere B. Mesosphere C. Thermosphere D.
Troposphere

8. What is the natural process by which the earth’s atmosphere warms up by

the greenhouse gases?
A. Greenhouse effect B. Global warming
C. Greenhouse warming D. Ozone depletion

9. What is the correct order of the layers of the atmosphere from bottom to top?
A. Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
B. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere, Mesosphere
C. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
D. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Exosphere, Thermosphere

10.What is the basis for the division of the layers of the earth’s atmosphere?
A. Changing temperature B. Changing amount of gases
C. Changing weather patterns D. Changing of the composition
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11.What phenomenon refers to the increasing temperature of the earth’s

atmosphere due to increased amounts of greenhouse gases?
A. Greenhouse effect B. Global warming
C. Greenhouse warming D. Ozone depletion

12.Which of the following human activities contribute to global warming?

I. Planting trees III. Cutting down of trees

II. Burning of fossil fuels IV. Overpopulation

A. I only B. I and II only C. I and III only D. II, III, IV

13.Which of the following are ways by which you can help prevent
global warming from getting worse?
I. Planting trees
II. Rice fields and forestlands are turned into residential or
commercial centers
III. Reducing the use of gasoline and gasoline-related products
(burning of these in car engines releases carbon dioxide)
A. I only B. I and II C. I and III D. I, II and III

14.Which of the following is most likely to cause a rise in the average

temperature
of the earth’s atmosphere in the future?
A. Products with CFCs B. Dust clouds from volcanoes
C. Carbon dioxide from fossil fuels D. Depletion of the ozone layer

15.What is the reason to support the statement, ”Cutting of trees in large areas
contributes to global warming.”?
A. Plants use Carbon dioxide. When trees are cut, there would be
decreased amount of oxygen.
B. Plants use Carbon dioxide. When trees are cut, Carbon dioxide in the air
will not be used up.
C. Plants use water vapor. When trees are cut, water vapor in the atmosphere
will not be used up.
D. Plants use carbon dioxide. When trees are cut, there would be no enough
food for people and other animals.