Subject: Chemistry

Topic: Chemistry of our environment

Standard: IX

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 What are greenhouse gases?
90 seconds

• Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth’s

atmosphere that trap heat.

• They let sunlight pass through the

atmosphere, but they prevent the heat that
the sunlight brings from leaving the
atmosphere.

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 Greenhouse gases
The greenhouse gases include:
• Water vapour

• Carbon dioxide

• Methane

• Nitrous oxide

• Sulfur hexafluoride

• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC’s)

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 Release of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere
The processes that add carbon dioxide to
the atmosphere

• when organisms respire or decompose (decay)

• forest fires and volcanoes

• human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels

and forests and the production of cement.

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 Release of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere

Note: this slide not for assessment but

for better understanding of the topic

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 Release of methane into the
atmosphere

A single cow can produce over

1000 times the mass of methane
Note: this slide not for assessment but
as compared to a human for better understanding of the topic

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 Release of methane into the
atmosphere

Note: this slide not for assessment but for

better understanding of the topic

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 The greenhouse effect

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 Global Warming
Increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth is known
as global warming.

Causes :
Increased levels of carbon
dioxide and methane gases -
due to increased use of
fossil fuels and changes in
farming

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 Climate change
Climate change can be defined as the long term changes
in the average weather pattern of a region observed over
a period of time.

Causes : Increase in greenhouse gases

Impact of climate change:
• Change in rainfall pattern
• Severe droughts, storms, flooding, land slides
• Crop failure
• Desertification
• Melting of polar ice caps and glaciers
• Rising sea levels leading to flooding in low lying areas and faster
rates of costal erosion
• Changes in life cycles and migratory patterns of animals and birds

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 Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide
released into the atmosphere
Use renewable
energy sources
such as:
Solar
Wind
Nuclear
Water
Geothermal
Tidal

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 Use vehicles that run on electricity or hydrogen fuel cells

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 Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored underground.

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 Afforestation will capture the carbon dioxide through photosynthesis .

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 Reducing the amount of methane
released into the atmosphere
• Decrease the methane emissions from livestock by
changing their diet or capturing the gases produced

• Encourage greater dependence on plant based food

• Better separation of household waste

• Burn methane produced in land fills for electricity or

heat

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 Quiz
1. How can global warming cause sea levels to rise?
A. by causing it to rain more often
B. by melting glaciers and ice caps
C. by increasing the number of undersea volcanic eruptions
D. by creating bigger and more powerful hurricanes

2. Why does cutting down trees increase global warming?

A. trees soak up carbon dioxide
B. trees provide shade which counteracts global warming
C. trees absorb the Sun's energy without radiating it back into the atmosphere
D. trees drain greenhouse gases like methane from the soil

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 Quiz
3. As global warming continues, the intensity of what type of storm that hits
coastlines is predicted to increase?
A. Tornadoes
B. Hurricanes
C. Tsunamis
D. Earthquakes

4. Carmen is going to the market to purchase food for her family. She is very conscious of
her choices and is working to reduce her carbon footprint. Which of the following
would help her to be successful in her goal?
A. Purchasing meats packaged at the local supermarket, but trucked in from out of
state
B. Purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at the local supermarket that were shipped
from out of state
C. Purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from the local farmer’s market
D. None of these choices will reduce her carbon footprint

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 Quiz

5. The graph below shows CO2 emissions and temperatures from 1909 to 1949. What
conclusion is best supported by the graph?
A. There is no relationship between carbon dioxide concentrations and
temperatures
B. As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures increase
C. As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures decrease
D. As carbon dioxide concentrations decrease, temperatures increase

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 Reflection
Ask students to write:

• What they have learnt today

• What is its relevance in today’s scenario

• What steps can they take to improve it

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