Trisha Stratton-Karbowski
Porche Griffin
Lab Report project
Standard: E.FE.07.12 Compare and contrast the composition of the atmosphere at different
elevations.
Grade: 7th grade
Prior Knowledge: The student should know that there are four layers of the atmosphere. They
should also know their names and what is found in those layers. The students should have
learned this in previous lessons and/or classes.
Engage:
Present the picture to the class and ask if they know what it is. Then allow the students to discuss
what they know about the atmosphere together. (1-2 minutes)
Explore:
Hand out and have a big copy of the atmosphere picture without words. The students should be
able to place the words and picture on the picture in the proper areas as a group. They will each
get to put on thing on the picture. (2-6 minutes)
Explain:
The atmosphere is layered into four distinct zones of contrasting temperature:
1. Troposphere - 0 to an average of 8 miles above the surface of the Earth (10 miles over the
equator, 5 miles over the poles). Where almost all weather events take place.
Contains about 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere.
Is relatively uniform because of mixing by strong winds.
Air pressure decreases with elevation.
Temperatures drop drastically with increasing altitude to a low of about -60 o C at the top.
Tropopause marks the boundary with the stratosphere.
Gas
Nitrogen
Symbol
or
Formula
N2
Percent by
Volume
78.08
Oxygen
O2
20.94
Argon
Ar
0.934
Carbon Dioxide
CO2
0.035
Neon
Ne
0.00182
Helium
He
0.00052
Methane
CH4
0.00015
Krypton
Kr
0.00011
Hydrogen
H2
0.00005
Nitrous oxide
N20
0.00005
Xenon
Xe
0.000009
2. Stratosphere - extends from the tropopause up to about 50 km (31 mi).
Air temperature is stable or increases with altitude.
More dilute than troposphere but with similar composition except for two important
components: water and ozone (O3).
Water vapor is lower but ozone levels are much higher than in the troposhere.
Relatively calm with little mixing. Contaminants can remain in suspension for many
years.
3. Mesosphere - extends from about 50 km to about 80 km.
Temperatures decrease again with altitude to a low of about -80 oC (-120oF).
4. Thermosphere - begins at about 80 km.
A region of highly ionized gases extending out to about 1,600 km (1,000 mi).
Temperatures are very high due to constant bombardment of molecules by high-energy
solar and cosmic radiation.
Lower part of this layer is called the ionosphere. This is where the aurora borealis or
northern lights appear.
Elaborate:
To help the students grasp the idea of the atmospheres layers and the composition of each they
will complete a paper display in groups of two. This will show that they can remember the
information and where it goes in the atmosphere. This display will include Earth, troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the composition of each (not including Earth’s).
1. Start with a black/ white piece of paper. Also have a red, green, blue, pink, and orange.
2. Each color represents a layer of the atmosphere( Green is Earth)
Red = the warmest layer of the atmosphere.
Pink = the next warmest layer of the atmosphere.
Orange= the 3rd warmest layer of the atmosphere.
Blue= the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
3. Cut out the colored paper above to fit with your black/white piece. Remember it must be
approximately proportional to the actual altitude of the layers. For example, Earth is
smaller than the troposphere and so on. It does not need to be exact!
4. Use a glue stick to put the colored paper in order on your black/ white sheet of paper.
5. Label each layer and the Earth along with the composition of each layer in marker on the
layers of atmosphere.
6. Make sure you do a neat job on the display!
Evaluate:
This is the part where discussion question would be asked.
1. What is one thing that you learned?
2. When will this information learned be used in your everyday life?
Work cited:
http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~pgore/Earth&Space/GPS/Earth-systems.html
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_1_1.htm
http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/lifesaving-layers%E2%80%94earth%E2%80%99satmosphere-lesson-plan/
LIFESAVER ATMOSPHERE!
1. Start with a black/ white piece of paper. Also have a red, green, blue, pink, and orange.
2. Each color represents a layer of the atmosphere( Green is Earth)
Red = the warmest layer of the atmosphere.
Pink = the next warmest layer of the atmosphere.
Orange= the 3rd warmest layer of the atmosphere.
Blue= the coldest layer of the atmosphere.
3. Cut out the colored paper above to fit with your black/white piece. Remember it must be
approximately proportional to the actual altitude of the layers. For example, Earth is
smaller than the troposphere and so on. It does not need to be exact!
Space
Earth
4. Use a glue stick to put the colored paper in order on your black/ white sheet of paper.
5. Label each layer and the Earth along with the composition of each layer in marker on the
layers of atmosphere.
6. Make sure you do a neat job on the display!