Department of Education

7
National Capital Region
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE
MARIKINA CITY

Science
Quarter 4 – Module 3
Solar Energy and Earth’s Atmosphere

Haydee M. Melgaso

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 What I Need to Know

This module will discuss the great mass of air that envelops Earth’s surface
and is held in place by the planet’s gravitational force called atmosphere. It is an
envelope of air that surrounds the Earth where all weather events happen. It is the
protective blanket in which we live.

After going through this module, you are expected to discuss how energy
from the Sun interacts with the layers of the atmosphere.S7ES-IVd-5

Specifically, you are expected to:

 describe the different layers of Earth’s atmosphere;
 relate temperature and altitude in each layer of the atmosphere;
 explain what happens to the air in the surroundings as warm air
rises; and
 discuss how energy from the Sun enters the atmosphere.

What I Know

Read each sentence carefully and encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Disturbance in the atmosphere causes disruption of radio communication on

Earth. What layer of the atmosphere do these disturbances occur?
A. ionosphere C. troposphere
B. mesosphere D. stratosphere

2. Where is the communication satellite placed in our atmosphere?

A. mesosphere C. thermosphere
B. stratosphere D. troposphere

3. The ozone blocks some solar radiation. Which of the following would likely to
happen if ozone layer will be removed from the atmosphere?
A. It would cause higher temperatures.
B. It would cause living things life extinction.
C. It would cause a large rate of skin cancer.
D. It would cause the depletion of natural resources.

4. Which of the following greenhouse gases is produced by humans?

A. Carbon dioxide C. Nitrous oxide
B. Methane D. Water vapor

5. What must be done do to prevent the occurrence of global warming?

A. Join carpools.
B. Avoid using disposable items.

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 C. Appliances must be turned off when not in use.
D. Walked instead of driving to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

6. Upon leaving your house at 2000 meters, 15° C is the air temperature. What
would be the temperature at the 4000-meter summit?
A. 28°C B.10°C C. 7.8°C D. 2°C

7. Give the correct order of Earth's atmospheric layers from bottom to top?
A. Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
B. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
C. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Exosphere
D. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere

8. Which statement describes the ozone layer?

A. It can be also called outer space
B. The layer of the Earth next to the crust
C. The layer of the atmosphere that we inhale
D. Part of the Earth's atmosphere that protects the Earth from radiation

9. What is a gradual increase in the earth's temperature generally due to the

greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other
pollutants.
A. Methane C. Greenhouse Effect
B. Global Warming D. Carbon Dioxide Gases

10. Excessive cutting down of trees will result in ________.

A. cause the greenhouse effect
B. cause increase in the rain
C. providing more pure water
D. providing more fresh oxygen

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Lesson Solar Energy and Layers of the
Atmosphere

What’s In

Put a Smiley Face on the statement that shows the proper ways in reducing the
effects of human activities on our natural resources and a Sad Face to the
statement that shows destroying our environment. Put your answer in the space
provided.

or Human Activities
1. Plant more trees.
2. Use aerosol sprays and other chemicals every day.
3. Illegal mining.
4. Decreased energy consumption and increasing the use of
renewable energy.
5. Walked instead of driving to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

What’s New
Study the pictures below. Write capital letter D if it is desirable and X if it is
not a desirable atmospheric event. Write your answer in the space provided.

PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES

THUNDERSTORM __X__ RAINBOW _____ MEADOW _____

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 STORM _____ DROUGHT _____ AURORA BOREALIS _____

What Is It
The atmosphere is made up mainly of air which is a matter in the gaseous phase
and is a mixture of inert gases and other matter.
A. Gas Composition of the Atmosphere

Argon (0.93%)
Oxygen (21%) Carbon dioxide
(0.04%)

Nitrogen (78%) Other gases

(0.03%)

The table below represents the composition of the air that envelops Earth.
Gas Symbol Percent Importance
(by volume)
Living things need it to make proteins. Do not
Nitrogen N 78.08
used Nitrogen directly from the air.
Oxygen O 20.95 Essential for respiration.
Argon Ar 0.93 Used in light bulbs.
Carbon Plants use it to make oxygen and serves as a
Dioxide CO2 0.03 blanket to prevent the escape of heat into
outer space
Water Essential for life processes and prevents heat
vapor loss from the earth.

Guide Questions:
1. Give the percentages of the gases present in our atmosphere?

__________________________________________________________

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 2. Why are these gases in our atmosphere important to us?

___________________________________________________________
3. Give the two (2) most abundant gases in the atmosphere.

__________________________________________________________

B. Layers of the Atmosphere

On how temperature changes with height the basis on the division of five layers of
atmosphere was.

Read and study the table below.

Atmosperic Characteristics Altitude Temperature
Layer
-the thinning atmosphere turns
400-600
into the radiation belts and
miles(550- Increase with
Exosphere magnetic fields of space
1000km altitude
extend)
- space station/satellites orbits
- auroras(Northern Lights)
Gradually increases
generally happen in this layer or 50-400
with altitude
Thermosphere the upper mesosphere miles(80-
500km)
-Ionosphere blocks harmful rays
Decreases with
30 to 50
- meteors burn up as it enters altitude
Mesosphere miles up(50-
the Earth's atmosphere.
80 km)
- it contains ozone layer that
protects Earth from ultraviolet
rays
Increases with
6 to 30 miles
altitude
Stratosphere - little air turbulence(unsteady in height(50
movements in air) km)

-because it is stable many

airplanes fly in the stratosphere
-temperature gradually
decreases with increasing
altitude because of the sun’s
Decreases with
radiation absorbed by Earth’s
6 miles in altitude
Troposphere surface
height(20km)
-weather occurs in this
layer

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Complete the diagram below. Write your answer in the space provided.
Getting to Know the Layers of the Atmosphere

Layer E________ _____km Temperature_________

Layer D ________ _____ km Temperature _________

Layer C________ _____ km Temperature _________

Layer B ________ _____km

Temperature_______

Layer A ________ _____km

Temperature ______

EARTH

Guide Questions:
1. Give the role of the ozone layer in the atmosphere?

_________________________________________________________

2. What makes the temperature in the troposphere gradually decrease with

increasing altitude?

__________________________________________________________

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What is Greenhouse Effect?

Study the diagram.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth%27s_greenhouse_effect_(US_EPA,_2012).png

Energy from the sun reaches the Earth as solar radiation and some energy is
reflected by the Earth and the atmosphere. Most of the radiation is absorbed by the
Earth's surface and warms it while Infrared (heat) radiation is emitted by the
Earth's surface and some passes through the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas
molecules absorbed and re-emitted some of it in all directions. Until it warms the
Earth's surface and the lower atmosphere.

The trapped heat makes the Greenhouse gases warms the atmosphere though
some of the heat radiation out from the ground is trapped by greenhouse gases in
the troposphere. Greenhouse gases serve as insulation for the planet. The warming
of the atmosphere due to insulation by greenhouse gases is called the greenhouse
effect. Then the Greenhouse gases are the component parts of the atmosphere
that moderate Earth’s temperatures. More greenhouse gases trap more heat
warming the atmosphere. Then, the increase or decrease of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere affects climate and weather in the whole world.

Answer the following guide questions:

1. Explain how does the light from the Sun reaches and enters the Earth’s surface?
_________________________________________________________________________

2. List down some of the consequences people will experience if the amount of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to increase.
________________________________________________________________________

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 What’s More
When getting nearer the Earth’s surface, the air gets cpp;er the higher you climb.

In climbing the
mountain, expect the
air temperature to
decrease by 6.5
degrees Celsius for
every 1000 meters
you gain. This is
called the standard
(average) lapse rate.

.
When the air temperature is 30 0C at sea level, as shown in the figure above,
expect it to be around 10.5 0C at air altitude of 3000 meters due to the lapse rate.

Guide questions:
Let say you are going to climb a Mountain today!
1. As you leave the house at 2000 meters, the air temperature is 15° C. What will
be the temperature at the 4000-meter summit?
________________________________________
2. What happens to the surrounding air as warm air rises?
________________________________________

When the warm air rises, the air becomes cooler. Then the warmth of the air
expands the air. When there is more air that expands due to low air pressure, the
colder it gets. So, as the air rises,it becomes colder.

What I Have Learned

Complete the data table below by choosing the appropriate description in the box.

The layer of the atmosphere where Aircraft flying in this area may
virtually weather occurs. have a bumpy ride, commonly
known as turbulence.

Layer of the atmosphere where ozone The layer of air that extends to
is found. about 50km from Earth’s surface.

The atmospheric layer that reflects It is where the meteors of rock

radio waves back to Earth. fragments burn up.

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 Space shuttles fly in this area and it Satellites are stationed in this
is also where the auroras are found. area.

The layer between 500km to 1000km The layer closest to the earth.
from Earth.

Data Table
Atmospheric Layer
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere

Answer the question below:

No doubt that it is cooler in Baguio than in Manila because Baguio is at a higher
altitude than Manila. Shouldn’t it be warmer in Baguio since it is much closer to
the sun?

What I Can Do
Answer the questions below.
Imagine our planet Earth without the atmosphere.
1. What do you think will happen? ____________________________________
2. How will we be able to survive? ____________________________________

Additional Activities
Fill in the missing words.
1. Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air called _________. (atmosphere, oxygen)
2. Atmosphere is a mixture of _________. (gases, rocks)
3. Three fourth of the atmosphere is _________. (oxygen, nitrogen)
4. It is the layer of atmosphere closest to Earth is the _________. (troposphere,
stratosphere)
5. The Ozone is what keeps most of the Sun’s harmful _________from reaching
Earth.
(radiation, sound waves)

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 Posttest
Read each sentence carefully and encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. As you leave the house at 2000 meters, the air temperature is 15° C.
What will be the temperature at the 4000-meter summit?
A. 28°C B.10°C C. 7.8°C D.2°C

2. Which of the following is the correct order of the earth's atmospheric layers from
bottom to top?
A. Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
B. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
C. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Exosphere
D. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere

3. Which statement describes the ozone layer?

A. Ozone layer is another name for outer space.
B. The layer of the Earth next to the crust
C. The layer of the atmosphere that we inhale
D. Part of the Earth's atmosphere that protects the Earth from radiation

4. What is the increase in the Earth's temperature due to the greenhouse effect
caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants?
A. Methane C. Greenhouse Effect
B. Global Warming D. Carbon Dioxide Gases

5. Which will be the effect of excessive cutting down of trees?

A. providing more fresh oxygen C. cause increase in the rain
B. providing more pure water D. cause greenhouse effect

6. Which of the following is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?

A. carbon dioxide B. nitrogen C. oxygen D. water vapor

7. Where does the communication satellite placed in our atmosphere?

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

8.The ozone blocks some solar radiation. What do you think will happen if the
ozone layer will be removed from the atmosphere?
A. It would cause higher temperatures.
B. It would cause living things life extinction.
C. It would cause a large rate of skin cancer.
D. It would cause the downsize of natural resources.

9. Which of the following greenhouse gases is produced by humans?

A. Carbon dioxide B. Methane C. Nitrous oxide D. Water vapor

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10. What must be done to prevent the occurrence of global warming?
A. Join carpools.
B. Avoid using disposable items.
C. Appliances must be turned off when not in use.
D. Walked instead of driving to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Links:
https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-flowers-meadow-tree-trunk-276014/

https://pixabay.com/photos/drought-cracks-dry-landscape-mud-3618653/

https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/change-atmosphere-altitude

https://www.slideshare.net/ubuntu0125/detailed-lesson-plan-earths-atmosphere

https://mrbloch516.edublogs.org/files/2014/03/Layers-of-Atmosphere-
1vemszg.pdf

https://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/layers_activity_print.html
&edu=elem

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth%27s_greenhouse_effect_(US_EPA
,_2012).png

http://www.swlauriersb.qc.ca/schools/mccaig/teachers/dstrina/layersofatmosph
erestbooklet.pdf

https://www.casdschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=
7391&dataid=6446&FileName=The%20Atmosphere%202015.pptx

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sanjac-earthscience/chapter/atmospheric-
layers/#:~:text=The%20troposphere%20is%20heated%20from,the%20Sun's%20ha
rmful%20UV%20radiation

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 DISCIPLINE • GOOD TASTE • EXCELLENCE
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What’s In: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What’s New: a. X b. D c. X d. D
What’s New: a. X b. D c. X d. D
What Is It: Guide Questions:
1. By volume, the dry air in Earth's atmosphere is about 78.09 percent nitrogen, 20.95
percent oxygen, and 0.93 percent argon.
2. Because all living things need some of the gases in air for life support.
3. Nitrogen and oxygen
What Is It:
B. Getting to Know the Layers of the Atmosphere
Layer E. Exosphere Layer D. Thermosphere Layer C. Mesosphere Layer B. Stratosphere
Layer A. Troposphere
550-1000km 80-500km 50-80km 50km
20km
temperature
Increases with altitude gradually increases decrease with increase with
decrease with
With altitude altitude altitude
altitude
1. Ozone layer that protects Earth from ultraviolet rays 2. temperature gradually
decrease with increasing altitude because of the sun’s radiation absorbed by Earth’s
surface
B. Greenhouse Effect:Guide Questions
1. The radiation of the Sun warm the world and warmth from the planet then travels
back to the atmosphere.
2. Greenhouse effect and Global warming.
What I Have Learned:
Data Table
Atmospheric - List of Important Characteristics of each Layer
Layer
Troposphere - The layer of the atmosphere where virtually weather occurs.
- Aircraft flying in this area may have a bumpy ride- commonly
known as turbulence
- The layer closest to the earth.
Stratosphere - Layer of the atmosphere where ozone is found.
Mesosphere - The layer of air that extends to about 50km from Earth’s
surface.
- It is where the meteors of rock fragments burn up.
Thermosphere - Space shuttles fly in this area and it is also where the auroras
are found.
-The atmospheric layer that reflects radio waves back to Earth.
Exosphere - Satellites are stationed in this area.
- The layer between 500km to 1000km from Earth.
What I Can Do:
1.The atmosphere surrounds the Earth and holds the air we breathe; it protects us from
outer space; and holds moisture (clouds), gases, and tiny particles. Atmosphere is the
protective blanket in which we live.
Additional Activities: 1. Atmosphere 2. Gases 3. Nitrogen 4. Troposphere 5. Radiation
Answer Key
 Development Team of the Module

Writer: Haydee M. Melgaso

Content Editors: Jessica S. Mateo

Marites R. Del Valle
Romencita D. Gollayan

Language Editor: Kristine Joyce G. Montejo

Illustrators: May Anne G. Pasco
Michele P. Dioquino
Layout Artist: Jemwel Dela Paz
Management Team:
Sheryll T. Gayola
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
OIC, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

Elisa O. Cerveza
Chief, CID
OIC, Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Jessica S. Mateo
EPS-Science

Ivy Coney A. Gamatero

EPS – LRMS

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