Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region 1
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF PANGASINAN II
STA. CRUZ INTEGRATED SCHOOL
STA. MARIA DISTRICT

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Grade 7-Science

NAME: _____________________________ Date: ________

Grade/ Section: _____________ Score: _______

Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere

Objectives:
1. Describe the different layers of the atmosphere;
2. Explain how energy from the sun interacts with the layers of the atmosphere
3. Identify the relationship between altitude and temperature of the different layers of the atmosphere.
3. Suggest some ways on how to protect the atmosphere.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is that the blanket of air that surrounds the planet. Composed of a combination of gases that surrounds a
planet, like Earth. The Earth’s atmosphere is including the subsequent molecules: nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon
(1%), then trace amounts of greenhouse emission, neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen, laughing gas, xenon, ozone,
iodine, monoxide, and ammonia. Lower altitudes even have a vapor. Earth’s atmosphere is comparable to a jacket for our
planet. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it's where our weather happens.

Layers of Atmosphere

1. Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer, extending from the Earth's surface up to about 10 kilometers
high. It contains the air we breathe and is where weather phenomena like clouds, rain, and storms occur.
Temperature decreases with altitude in this layer.
2. Stratosphere: Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere, reaching up to about 50 kilometers above the Earth's
surface. The ozone layer is found within the stratosphere, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the
sun. Temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone.
3. Mesosphere: Beyond the stratosphere is the mesosphere, extending up to about 80 kilometers above the Earth's
surface. Temperatures in this layer decrease with altitude, reaching their coldest temperatures near the top.
Meteors burn up in the mesosphere, creating "shooting stars."
4. Thermosphere: The thermosphere lies above the mesosphere and extends up to about 600 kilometers above the
Earth's surface. Despite its high altitude, temperatures in the thermosphere can reach very high levels due to the
absorption of solar energy. The International Space Station orbits within the lower part of the thermosphere.
Sublayers
a. Ionosphere: The lower part of the thermosphere, from about 80 to 550 kilometers above the Earth's surface. It
is called the ionosphere because it is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation, resulting in the formation of
charged particles called ions. The ionosphere plays a crucial role in radio communication and navigation, as it
reflects radio waves back to Earth, allowing long-distance communication.
b. Exosphere: The upper part of the thermosphere, above about 550 kilometers and extending to the boundary
of space. In this sublayer, the atmosphere gradually thins out until it merges with the vacuum of space. The
exosphere is where satellites and other spacecraft orbit the Earth, experiencing very low densities of air
molecules.

Global Warming
The Sun gives us energy through its rays that reach the Earth. These rays warm our planet, and some of the
warmth goes back into the air. This makes the Earth's surface warmer, and the air near it also gets warm. As the air
moves away from the surface, it gets cooler because it's not as close to the warmth of the Earth.
Some of the Sun's energy is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. When the Earth gives off heat, some of it bounces
back into space, but some is trapped by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. This trapping of heat is called the
greenhouse effect, and it makes the Earth warmer.
 Deforestation and burning fossil fuels like coal and gas release more of these gases, making the greenhouse effect
stronger. Things like using electricity and certain products also add to these gases. This can make the Earth get too
warm, causing problems. Global warming happens when the Earth's temperature increases and leads to rising
temperatures, changing weather patterns, and environmental impacts like melting ice caps and rising sea levels. To
address global warming, it's crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy sources,
improving energy efficiency, and conserving forests.

Activity
I. Choose the BEST word that completes the sentence. Encircle the word of your answer.
1. Atmosphere act as (blanket, wall, light) of the earth.
2. The upper limit of the atmosphere is called (stratosphere, troposphere, exosphere)
3. The layer after the mesosphere where air is very thin is called the (exosphere, stratosphere, thermosphere).
4. The gas that makes up most of the Earth’s atmosphere is (Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide)
5. (Ozone, Meteors, Auroras) layer protects us from the harmful radiation of the sun.
II. Identify what layer of the atmosphere is described in the following statements.
___________6. The layer of the atmosphere where virtually weather occurs.
___________7. Layer of the atmosphere where ozone is found.
___________8. The atmospheric layer that reflects radio waves back to Earth.
___________9. Space shuttles fly in this area, and it is also where the auroras are found.
___________10. It is where the meteors of rock fragments burn up.
III.

IV. Answer the question briefly and concisely.

1. What is the difference between the greenhouse effect to global warming?
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2. As a student, how can you protect the destruction of the atmosphere? List down 3 ways.
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