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SCIENCE 7
th
4 QUARTER
Module 3
ATMOSPHERIC INTERACTIONS
Earth’s Atmosphere
Image Credit: (Shutterstock)

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMEPETENCIES

Discuss how energy from the Sun interacts with the layers of the
atmosphere.
(S7ES-IVd-3)

To the Learner
This module is made intended for you as a learner. This will help you to better
understand the content of the lesson and for sure for your development also. It is
very important because the very significant ideas of the topic are contained in this
module. Read and follow the simple instructions as your guide.
1. Set a conducive learning space at home and find a comfortable place
to study.
2. Read and follow the instructions carefully.
3. Do the activities to fully understand each lesson.
4. Be very honest in answering the activities to monitor what you have
learned in the lesson.
5. Reflect and apply the concepts learned.
- The Writer

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EXPECTATIONS
At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the different layers of the Earth’s atmosphere;

2. relate temperature and altitude in each layer of the atmosphere;
3. explain what happens to the air in the surroundings as warm air rises; and
4. discuss how energy from the Sun interacts with the layers of the atmosphere.

PRETEST
Directions: Read and analyze the following questions. Write the CAPITAL LETTER of
the correct answer.

1. What is the correct order of the layers of Earth’s atmosphere from bottom to top?
A. Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
B. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Exosphere
C. Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
D. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
2. What layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs?
A. Exosphere
B. Mesosphere
C. Stratosphere
D. Troposphere
3. What instrument is used to measure air pressure?
A. Barometer
B. Radiosonde
C. Seismograph
D. Thermometer
4. Which is not a function of the atmosphere?
A. Produces ground – level ozone
B. Supplies most of the oxygen needed by living things
C. Shields the planet from radiation and falling meteors
D. Makes the planet’s surface temperature stable and prevents
extreme temperatures.
5. What do greenhouse gases do in our atmosphere?
A. They make the Earth cooler
B. They keep all the air within the Earth
C. They block harmful radiation from reaching the Earth
D. They let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent the
heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere.

LOOKING BACK
JUMBLED LETTERS. Directions: Rearrange the jumbled letters to identify the term
being asked using the descriptions given.

OSILSF UELF 1. Natural fuel that came from the remains of living things.

NERIMAL 2. Natural, solid materials found on Earth that are the building blocks
of rock.

NOITAVRESNOC 3. It is the wise use of natural resources so that it will not be used up
too soon or use in a way that will damage the environment.

GNILCYCER 4. It is the process of reusing a given product that may be beyond its
intended use or producing a new product from recyclable material.

NIOTUOPLL 5. It is the introduction of harmful substances to the natural

environment.

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 BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The great mass of air that envelops Earth’s surface and is held in place by the
planet’s gravitational force is called the atmosphere. This part of Earth is composed of a
different mixture of gases: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide,
and other trace amounts of inert gases. Our atmosphere has been responsible for the
development and protection of life on our planet. However, most scientist agree that the
composition of the atmosphere is gradually changing because of human activities, and
these changes might eventually lead to other changes in Earth.
Figure 1

Scientist have discovered that the atmosphere has layers with distinct
characteristics.

https://www.shutterstock.com/imagevector/diagram-layers-within-earths-atmosphere-illustration-
1216516150
Figure 2

The atmosphere is divided into five layers

based on temperature change with elevation:
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere,
and exosphere. The troposphere is the layer nearest to
the Earth’s surface and this is also the zone where
weather occurs. Above the tropopause (a boundary that
acts as a ceiling to the weather zone) lies the stratosphere.
The stratosphere contains a layer called ozone (𝑂3 ).
Ozone is an excellent absorber of the ultraviolet radiation
emitted by the sun. https://www.online-sciences.com/earth-and-motion/the-
erosion-of-the-ozone-layer-and-the-protection-from-the-ozone-
layer-pollutants/attachment/pollutants-of-the-ozone-layer/

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 ACTIVITY NO. 1 “Layers of the Atmosphere”

Objective: Describe the different layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.

WHAT AM I!

Directions: Read and answer the riddle about layers of the atmosphere called “WHAT
AM I.”
1.
I am the lowest in the layers
which provides most of your
weather.
Clouds and storms occur in me.
Where air is denser and people
live. Temperature decreases as
you gain altitude in this layer
WHAT AM I? ___________
2.
I am 50km above the Earth
With very little water vapor
present.
No weather exists so aircrafts can
fly. Temperature increases as you
gain altitude in this layer.
The ozone layer, which shields
the Earth from radiation, is
found in me
WHAT AM I?___________

3. 4.
I am the coldest region in the Temperature increases as you
atmosphere gain altitude in this layer.
Extending to about 90km above I am so thin, generally part of the
the Earth outer space
Meteors generally burn up in my International Space Station and
layer many satellite orbits within me
That’s why the Earth’s surface is I can reflect electromagnetic
not cratered like moon. waves back to Earth
Temperature decreases as you Making radio communications
gain altitude in this layer possible.
WHAT AM I?___________ WHAT AM I?___________

6.
5. I am the outermost layer of the
I am the topmost part of the atmosphere
Earth’s atmosphere Primarily composed of hydrogen
With a very high temperature and helium
Due to high energy ultraviolet Due to a very thin region with low
and x-ray radiation from the sun density
But I cannot burn your skin Atoms and molecules escape into
WHAT AM I?___________ space
WHAT AM I?___________

ACTIVITY NO. 2 “Changes in the Atmosphere”

Objective: Relate temperature and altitude in each layer of
the atmosphere.

Concepts to be learned: Since air has weight, the air at the bottom of the
atmosphere is compressed. Each layer of the air presses down on the layer below it
with a force equal to the weight of all the air above it. So, the Earth’s gravity pulls the
air toward Earth’s surface. Air exerts pressure on Earth. This pressure is called air
pressure. The atmosphere has different properties at different elevations above sea
level, or altitudes. Altitude is the height above a certain level. The air density
decreases with increasing altitude. We don't feel this pressure because our bodies
push an equal amount of pressure outward. Temperature also decreases as you gain
altitude in the troposphere and mesosphere, and it is increases as you gain altitude
in stratosphere and thermosphere.

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 Figure 3

FACT OR BLUFF?
B. Write FACT if the statement is correct and BLUFF if
false. Use the figure 4 as your guide

1. There is less space between air molecules at higher

altitudes.

2. If the altitudes decrease, air pressure increase.

3. There is less oxygen to breathe at the top of a high

mountain than there is at sea level.

4. Air density is lower at lower altitudes.

5. Air gets cooler the higher you climb a https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/change-

mountain. atmosphere-altitude

ACTIVITY NO. 3 “Movements in the Atmosphere”

Objective: Explain what happens to the air in the surroundings as warm

air rises

Concepts to be learned: “Warm air rises,” and “Air moves towards the place where
warm air is rising.” When warm air rises, the air becomes cooler. The warmth of the air
expands the air. The more your air expands, due to low air pressure, the colder it gets.
Therefore, as the air rises, the colder it gets. Air moves from an area of high pressure to
an area of low pressure. The movement of air is caused by density differences brought
about by ‘moving air’ called winds.

Directions: Answer the following questions while referring to the diagram on breezes.

1. How does air move during sea breeze?

___________________________________________

2. From where does the wind blow during the

land breeze? ______________________________
___________________________________________
Figure 4
3. At what time of the day does the sea breeze
occur (nighttime/daytime)?_________________

4. Which heats faster, land or sea ?____________

5. Compare the direction of air in sea breeze

and land breeze. ___________________________
________________________________________
Figure 5

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7b.html

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 ACTIVITY NO. 4 “Solar Energy in the Atmosphere”

Objective: Discuss how energy from the Sun interacts with the layers
of the atmosphere

Concepts to be learned: The vapor sends some of this radiation back to Earth’s
surface, and this produces the so–called greenhouse effect. The heat–absorbing effect
of greenhouse gases raises the average surface temperature from a cold temperature to
a pleasant livable temperature. The reflection of sunlight does not only occur in the
surface of the Earth; some of it is reflected by the clouds and the particles in the air. A
cloud sky acts like a blanket that keeps Earth warm as the particles and gases in the
air absorb infrared radiation. These gases, are called greenhouse gases, trap the heat
near the surface of the Earth.

Directions: Complete the diagram by describing the pictures. Choose from the terms
in the word pool below.

burning of releases into the

forming a
allowing
which around
sunlight
reflects to reach the where
they are

back to

creating the
which may cause a rise in

Earth’s Greenhouse atmosphere

sunlight
temperature effect
Infrared
Earth
surface radiation
carbon dioxide

REMEMBER
• The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of five different layers: troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere.
• The atmosphere also keeps heat from leaving Earth’s surface at night, distributes heat and
water over Earth, acts as medium of transport and transmission, and serves as medium
for exchange of gases. It also transmits sound waves and makes various weather
phenomena possible.
• The atmosphere is composed of different mixtures of gases, water vapor, dust, and other
minute solid particles that are essential in the formation of clouds.
• The exchange of heat energy between the Sun, Earth, and space establishes the balance of
energy, such that the solar radiation that comes from the Sun is also sent back to the
atmosphere from Earth.

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CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
MATCHING TYPE. Directions: Match the items in column A with those in Column B.
A B

___________1. exosphere a. layer where jets fly

___________2. ionosphere b. reflects radio waves

___________3. ozone layer c. lowest layer in the atmosphere

___________4. stratosphere d. higher layer in the atmosphere

___________5. Troposphere e. prevents ultraviolet rays from

reaching the atmosphere

POSTTEST
Directions: Read and analyze the following questions. Write the CAPITAL LETTER of
the correct answer.

_________1. What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?

a. carbon dioxide
b. methane
c. nitrogen
d. oxygen

_________2. Which layer of the atmosphere has the lowest temperature?

a. exosphere
b. mesosphere
c. stratosphere
d. troposphere

________3. Which layer of the atmosphere weather occur?

a. mesosphere
b. stratosphere
c. thermosphere
d. troposphere

________3. What happens to solar energy if only 50% penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere?

a. The energy is lost in space

b. It will be reflected to the moon
c. It loses energy due to the sun’s gravity
d. It will be absorbed or reflected by the atmosphere

________5. Why is it essential to maintain the ozone layer in the atmosphere?

a. It prevents heat loss from Earth
b. It mixes the gases in the atmosphere
c. It reflects Sun’s ray back to the atmosphere
d. It absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation that enters the atmosphere

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 REFLECTION “MEANING – MAKING”

The atmosphere is the important factor that makes Earth livable. Write a pledge or
promise to the atmosphere to make it safer and more sustainable.

My Life on Earth Without

Atmosphere

I promise to…

CONGRATULATIONS!
You made completed this Self –Learning Module.
Good Job!

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 ANSWER SHEET
PRETEST POSTTEST

1. ____ 1. ____
2. ____ 2. ____
3. ____ 3. ____
4. ____ 4. ____
5. ____ 5. ____

LOOKING BACK ACTIVITY 1

1. __________________ 1. __________________
2. __________________ 2. __________________
3. __________________ 3. __________________
4. __________________ 4. __________________
5. __________________ 5. __________________
6. __________________

ACTIVITY 2 ACTIVITY 3

1. _______ 1. ____________________________________
2. _______ ______________________________________
3. _______ 2. ____________________________________
4. _______ ______________________________________
5. _______ 3. ____________________________________
______________________________________
4. ____________________________________
______________________________________
5. ____________________________________
______________________________________

ACTIVITY 4 CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

1. _______
2. _______
3. _______
4. _______
5. _______

1. _________________
2. _________________
3. _________________
4. _________________
5. _________________
6. _________________
7. _________________

REFLECTION: