F.

G PUBLIC SCHOOL KARACHI CANTT

LECTURE PLAN

Subject: Chemistry Date:

Class: X Federal Board Lesson No: 05

Chapter: 14, Atmosphere Topic: composition of Atmosphere

Instructor Name: Mrs. Saakhi Sooraj

Objective

At the end of a 45min class, students will be able:

 Understand the concept of the atmosphere as a layer of gases surrounding Earth.

 Recognize the main gases that make up Earth's atmosphere (nitrogen, oxygen, and

others).

 Explain the existence of different layers in the atmosphere (troposphere,

stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.

 Understand the role of the atmosphere in supporting life on Earth (providing

oxygen, filtering harmful radiation, regulating temperature).

Instructor Aids, Tools or Material needed / Resources

X fb text book (KPK), soft board, white board, marker

Prior knowledge questions

1. What do we take in when we breathe? (Air)

2. Air is not a single substance. Can you think of anything air might be made of?

(Maybe different gases).

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 3. Everything on Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases. What do we call this layer?

Problematic question

What is meant by atmosphere?

Definition:

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds Earth, held in place by gravity. It is

essential for life, providing oxygen for respiration, protecting from harmful solar radiation,

and helping to regulate temperature.

Q1: What are the main gases that make up Earth's atmosphere?

Primary Components of the Atmosphere:

Nitrogen (N₂): 78%

Oxygen (O₂): 21%

Argon (Ar): 0.93%

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): 0.04%

Trace Gases: Neon, Helium, Methane, Krypton, Hydrogen, and others.

 Water vapour is also a normal, though quite variable, component of the atmosphere,

normally ranging from 0.01 to 4 percent by volume.

2. Detailed Information on Each Component

Q2: Why is nitrogen important in the atmosphere?

Nitrogen (N₂):

Percentage: 78%

Role: Inert gas that dilutes oxygen, preventing spontaneous combustion. It is also a crucial

part of the nitrogen cycle, supporting plant growth and soil fertility.

Environmental Significance: Helps maintain a stable atmosphere and supports life through

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the nitrogen cycle.

Q3: What role does oxygen play in the atmosphere?

Oxygen (O₂):

Percentage: 21%

Role: Essential for respiration in most living organisms and necessary for combustion.

Environmental Significance: Supports life and energy production through cellular

respiration.

Argon (Ar):

Percentage: 0.93%

Role: Inert gas used in various industrial processes like welding and lighting.

Environmental Significance: Argon does not react with other elements or compounds,

making it stable and nonreactive.

Q4: How does carbon dioxide contribute to the atmosphere?

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂):

Percentage: 0.04%

Role: Critical for photosynthesis in plants, a key component of the carbon cycle.

Environmental Significance: Greenhouse gas that traps heat, contributing to the

greenhouse effect and global warming.

Trace Gases:

Neon (Ne): Inert, used in neon signs.

Helium (He): Light and inert, used in balloons and as a cooling medium.

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Methane (CH₄): Greenhouse gas, more potent than CO₂, produced by natural processes

and human activities.

Krypton (Kr): Inert, used in lighting.

Hydrogen (H₂): Lightest gas, potential future energy source.

Q/A Activity: Atmosphere Composition

Part I: Composition of Earth's Atmosphere

Label the following gases with their percentages in Earth's atmosphere:

 Nitrogen ______%

 Oxygen ______%

 Argon ______%

 Carbon Dioxide ______%

True or False: Atmosphere Composition Challenge

 ____ Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere.

 ____ Oxygen is only present in trace amounts in the atmosphere.

 ____ Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in photosynthesis.

 ____ Argon is chemically reactive with other elements.

 ____Air is a pure substance, like gold or water.

 ____Air is a mixture of different gases, with some essential for life.

 ____Carbon dioxide is the main gas humans and animals breathe in.

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Fill in the blanks:

 ____________ is essential for aerobic respiration in animals.

 ____________ is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for regulating Earth's
temperature.
 ____________ forms the ozone layer in the stratosphere.

Layers of Earth's Atmosphere:

What is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere?

Troposphere:

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  The troposphere extends from the Earth's surface up to approximately 1015

kilometers in altitude.

 It is where weather phenomena, such as clouds, precipitation, and storms, occur.

 Temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere, making it the coldest layer

of the atmosphere.

Q. What is the 2nd layer of Earth's atmosphere, where the ozone layer is located?

Stratosphere:

 The stratosphere lies above the troposphere, extending from about 1015 kilometers

(69 miles) to approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the Earth's surface.

What is the primary function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

 The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun's

ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface.

 Unlike the troposphere, temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere due

to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone.

Q3: What is the 3rd layer of Earth's atmosphere?

Mesosphere:

 The mesosphere is located above the stratosphere, extending from about 50

kilometers (31 miles) to approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) above the Earth's

surface.

 It is the layer where most meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere,

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 producing visible streaks of light known as shooting stars.

 Temperature decreases with altitude in the mesosphere, reaching some of the

coldest temperatures in the atmosphere.

Did you know that there's a layer in Earth's atmosphere where temperatures can soar
to thousands of degrees Celsius, even though it's high above the Earth's surface?
What do you think causes such extreme heat in this layer?"

Thermosphere:

 The thermosphere extends from approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) to about

600 kilometers (373 miles) above the Earth's surface.

 Despite its name, the temperature in the thermosphere can be extremely high due to

the absorption of solar radiation by gases like oxygen and nitrogen.

 The thermosphere is also where the International Space Station (ISS) and other

satellites orbit the Earth.

Q/A Activity:

Q. What is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where weather phenomena occur?

Q. What is the primary function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

Q. Which layer of the atmosphere extends from about 50 kilometers to approximately 85

kilometers above the Earth's surface?

Q. Where do most meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere?

Q. Which layer of the atmosphere is known for its high temperatures despite its distance

from the Earth's surface?

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Activity: Layers of Earth's Atmosphere

4. Match the layers of Earth's atmosphere with their descriptions:

Most meteors burn up here

Troposphere
Stratosphere High temperatures despite distance from
Earth's surface
Mesosphere Weather phenomena occur here
Thermosphere Contains the ozone layer

True or False:

 ____ The troposphere is the highest layer of Earth's atmosphere.

 ____ The thermosphere is the coldest layer of Earth's atmosphere.
 ____ The mesosphere is where most weather phenomena occur.
 ____ The exosphere gradually transitions into space.

Assessment/ Evaluation

Assessment and Evaluation. (For reinforcement of concepts).

1. What are the primary gases that make up Earth's atmosphere?

2. What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere?

3. What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere?

4. Which gas is the most abundant in the Earth's atmosphere?

5. What other gases are present in trace amounts in Earth's atmosphere?

6. Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to the Earth's surface?

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 7. Where is the ozone layer located in the atmosphere?

8. In which layer do meteors typically burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere?

9. At what layer does the International Space Station (ISS) orbit Earth?

References: X FB (KPK) Text Book, X Punjab Text Book, internet

H.W Research the five main layers of the Earth's atmosphere: Troposphere, Stratosphere,
Mesosphere and Thermosphere.
 Create a fact sheet that includes the following information for each layer:

 Name of the layer

 Altitude range (in kilometers or miles)
 Key characteristics or features
 Significant phenomena or events that occur in the layer
 Any additional interesting facts or details