1. C1 Topic 1 – The Earth’s Atmosphere

2. The Early Atmosphere Fill in as much as you can on the diagram
C1.1 worksheet 1

3. Objective: To understand what the Earth’s early atmosphere was like
By the end of today We will recall that the gases of the early atmosphere were produced by volcanic activity Most of us should be able to describe the composition of the early atmosphere Some of us may be able to explain why it is difficult for scientists to know what the early atmosphere was like

4. What was the early atmosphere like?
Watch this video clip about the early Earth:
(from beginning to 3.21)
What was the early Earth like?

5. How do we know?
Any ideas? How could we find out about the early atmosphere? What evidence could we find? What could the problems be?

6. The Early Atmosphere
In pairs you need to use the information on worksheet 1.1a and page 118 and 119 on the table to complete this table.
Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen
Amount in the early atmosphere
Pieces of evidence
Challenge: Can you explain why scientists are uncertain about the early atmosphere

7. How did the gases get into the atmosphere?
You need to complete the diagram to show how the gases got into the Earth’s atmosphere
C1.1 worksheet 2
Challenge: Why haven’t the atmospheres on Mars or Venus changed for billions of years but the atmosphere on Earth has?

8. What have you learnt
Can you add anything more to your diagram from the start of the lesson?
Can you...
Recall that the gases of the early atmosphere were produced by volcanic activity
Describe the composition of the early atmosphere
Explain why it is difficult for scientists to know what the early atmosphere was like