7 Notes to theFacilitator

The activities in this module are arranged from simple to complex to

help the learners gradually master the desired learning competencies. Your
support and guidance are needed so that they will be able to perform the
expected task of this modulewhich is to explain how the Sun interacts with

Science
the layers of the atmosphere.

Quarter 4 – Module 3:
Solar Energy and the Earth’s
Atmosphere
 7

Science
Quarter 4 – Module 3:
Solar Energy and the Earth’s
Atmosphere
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each
lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step
as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed with completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for a better
understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the
post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity
and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they
can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of
this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests.
And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or
facilitator.

Thank you.

What I Need to Know

The Sun is the major source of energy and is vital to everything that has
life on Earth. Solar energy refers to the energy that hits the surface of the Earth
itself. Once the sun’s energy reaches the Earth, it is intercepted first by the
atmosphere. In this module, you will learn how the Earth’s atmosphere is
affected by solar energy. In addition, you will also learn how the location of the
Philippines influences its climate and weather.
This module is divided into two lessons, namely:
• Lesson 1 – Interactions in the Atmosphere
• Lesson 2 – Common Atmospheric Phenomena

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

1. discuss how the Sun interacts with the layers of the atmosphere
(S7ESIVd-5);
2. account for the occurrence of land and sea breezes, monsoons, and
intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) (S7ES-IVf-7); and
3. cite applications on the importance of knowledge on global and
common atmospheric phenomena.
 What I Know

Directions. Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it in your notebook
or on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the most abundant element in the atmosphere?

a. Argon b. Carbon Dioxide c. Nitrogen d. Oxygen

2. What is the correct order of Earth’s atmospheric layers 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

3. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

a. Mesosphere b. Stratosphere c. Thermosphere d.
Troposphere

4. In which layer do all-weather phenomena take place?

a. Exosphere b. Mesosphere c. Stratosphere d.
Troposphere

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5. Why is the presence of ozone above the troposphere important for the
survival of living things on Earth?
a. It helps in cloud formation.
b. It warms the Earth’s surface.
c. It makes jet flying more comfortable.
d. It offers protection from the Sun’s harmful UV rays.

6. Why are scientists concerned about the greenhouse effect?

a. There is no technology that will keep the temperature of Earth
constant.
b. Planting trees in wider areas is not possible because Earth has many
desert areas.
c. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, enhance
the greenhouse effect.
d. The human population is increasing rapidly; more carbon dioxide will
be released into the atmosphere.

7. What happens when air is heated?

a. It stays in place.
b. It expands and rises.
c. It spreads in all directions.
 d. It moves towards a lower elevation.

8. In what direction does the wind blow?

a. from high pressure to low-pressure area
b. from low pressure to high-pressure area
c. from northeast to southwest
d. from southwest to northeast

9. Which of the following does not describe the Amihan?

a. It brings cold weather.
b. It comes around July to September.
c. It comes from the northeast and moves southward.
d. It passes over the Pacific Ocean before it reaches the Philippines.

10. What is not true about the ITCZ?

a. It results in thunderstorms.
b. It occurs in countries near the equator.
c. It occurs in the Philippines all year round.
d. It is a place where winds in the tropics meet, rise, and form clouds.

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 Lesso
Interactions in the
n 1 Atmosphere
What’s In

Figure 1. What are the layers of the atmosphere?

Table 1. Basis for Dividing the Atmosphere into Layers

Layers of the Atmosphere Altitude Range Temperature

(Start from the bottom layer) (km) Range (⁰C)

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 1.
2.
3.
4.
5

Guide Questions:
Q1. What is the relationship of altitude to the temperature of each layer?
Q2. Observe the whole figure. What is the basis for the division of Earth’s
atmosphere?
Q3. What other information about Earth’s atmosphere can you derive from
the figure?

What is It

Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere

Did you know that the atmosphere of the Earth is like a blanket? It
maintains Earth’s temperature and protects all living things here on Earth.
There are five layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Troposphere is the closest layer to the Earth’s ground. Its altitude
ranges from 0-10 kilometers high. In this layer, there are lots of water vapor,
that is why all weather conditions take place here. You cannot possibly drive
an airplane in this layer because it is so bumpy, just like a rocky road.
Above 10 to 50 kilometers is the next layer which is called the
stratosphere. Here, you can fly an aircraft smoothly because the air is
stable. As the altitude increases, the temperature also increases. You can find
the ozone layer here. It absorbs solar radiation which in turn heats up the
stratosphere. Take note that the ozone layer is important because it protects
us from the harmful UV rays coming from the Sun.

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 Mesosphere, the next layer, is found 50 to 80 kilometers above the
Earth. In this layer, the temperature decreases with altitude to the
atmosphere's absolute minimum. It is also the coldest layer of the
atmosphere surrounding the Earth. The mesosphere burns up most meteors
and asteroids before they reach the earth's surface.
The fourth layer is called the Thermosphere. Its altitude ranges from
80 to 110 kilometers from the Earth’s ground. The temperature in the
thermosphere increases as the distance from the earth becomes greater.
Orbiting around this layer is the International Space Station and the space
shuttle. The International Space Station is located 200 to 240 miles from the
earth's surface. Aurora borealis (also known as the northern/southern lights)
is one of the most amazing sky phenomena that occurs mostly in the
thermosphere.
The last layer which merges into outer space is the Exosphere. The
exosphere begins at 311 to 621 miles from the earth's surface and ends at
6,200 miles from the earth's surface. Although the exosphere is the most
distant layer of earth's atmosphere, it is the planet's first line of defense
against the sun's rays. It is also the first layer to come into contact and
protect the earth from meteors, asteroids, and cosmic rays. The temperature
in the exosphere varies greatly and can range from zero to over 1700
degrees Celsius. It is colder at night and much hotter during the day. The
exosphere is perfect for placing satellites as there is little friction. They can
orbit easily without being disrupted.
The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of three-fourths nitrogen, while
onefifth is oxygen. The remaining 1% contains traces of gases. It has a
mixture of carbon dioxide, ozone, and water. These gases are important in
producing weather features such as clouds and rains, and these also have an
influence on the overall climate of the Earth through the greenhouse effect
and global warming.

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Have you ever seen a greenhouse? What is its importance especially to
a farmer or agriculturist?
In temperate countries, a greenhouse is particularly useful in growing
seedlings when it is winter or spring before planting them in the open field
when the weather is warmer. Greenhouses also protect plants from harsh
weather phenomena such as snowstorms or dust storms. In tropical countries,
greenhouses are utilized by commercial plant growers to protect flowering
and ornamental plants from various weather conditions and pests.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gartengew%C3%A4chshaus.JPG
Figure 2. Different sizes of greenhouses.

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 Do you know how a greenhouse works? A greenhouse (also called a
glasshouse) is a structure with walls and roofs made chiefly of a transparent
material such as plastic or glass. Greenhouses are used to grow plants
requiring regulated climatic conditions. A greenhouse stays warm inside,
even during the winter. In the daytime, sunlight shines into the greenhouse
and warms the plants and air inside. At nighttime, it is colder outside, but the
greenhouse stays pretty warm inside. That is because the walls of the
greenhouse trap the Sun's heat.

https://sites.google.com/site/glowar88/all-about-global-warming/1-what-is-global-warming

Figure 3. Earth’s atmosphere

The Earth’s atmosphere is compared to a greenhouse. Why? It is because

the greenhouse effect works like the Earth. Trace gases in the atmosphere, such
as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and ozone, trap heat just like the
glass or plastic roof of a greenhouse. These heat-trapping gases are called
greenhouse gases.
During the day, the Sun shines through the atmosphere. It warms
Earth's surface. At night, Earth's surface cools, releasing heat back into the
air. Some of the heat is trapped by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
That is what keeps us warm and cozy at 14 degrees Celsius (58 degrees
Fahrenheit), on average.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's
surface. This process makes the Earth much warmer than it would be without
an atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is one of the things that make the
Earth a comfortable place to live. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would
be very cold – too cold for living things, such as plants and animals.

How are humans impacting the greenhouse effect?

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 So, what do you think will happen if carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases continue to increase in the atmosphere?
Since greenhouse gases act as the Earth’s blanket, more heat will be
trapped and will not return out into space if they increase in amount. This will
make Earth’s temperature hotter. This phenomenon is called “global
warming.” From the term itself, it affects all living things around the globe. If
this phenomenon continues, it will bring dangerous effects on our planet
Earth and all living things living in it.
Look at Figure 4. Where do you think all these greenhouse gases come
from?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Global_Carbon_Emission_by_Type.png

Figure 4. Global greenhouse gases emitted by human activities.

The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon

dioxide from human activities, is from burning fossil fuels for electricity,
heat, and transportation. Carbon dioxide is also emitted in the atmosphere
through deforestation, land clearing for agriculture, and degradation of soils.
In addition, agricultural activities, waste management, energy use, and
biomass burning contribute to methane gas emissions. Fertilizer use of many
farmers is the primary source of nitrous oxide emissions. Industrial
processes, refrigeration, and the use of a variety of consumer products
contribute to the emission of fluorinated gases (F-gases).
Too many of these greenhouse gases can cause Earth's atmosphere to
trap more and more heat, increase air temperature, and cause global
warming. Such a global phenomenon is feared to melt polar ice caps and
cause flooding to lowlying areas that will result in a reduction in biodiversity.

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It is even feared that global warming is already changing climates around the
globe, causing stronger typhoons, and creating many health-related
problems.
You can make a difference. Do your own part to help minimize global
warming. Act now!

What’s More

Activity 1: Does a Greenhouse Retain or Release Heat?

Objectives
This activity will enable you to:
1. construct a model greenhouse; and
2. relate the concept of the greenhouse to the increasing temperature of
Earth’s atmosphere.

Materials Needed
• Art papers
• cardboard
• cutter or scissors
• glue
• transparent tape

Procedure
1. Creatively construct your own model of a greenhouse using the
available art materials at home.
2. With your scissors, cut a cardboard 1.5ft by 2ft in size. Be careful when
handling sharp objects like knives or scissors.
3. Using art papers or construction papers, make cutouts of the sun,
clouds, buildings, cars or other vehicles, trees, layers of the
atmosphere, and others. You may use the sample model below or
create your own version of the model.
4. Arrange all your cutouts and paste them using glue.
5. Properly label each part.

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 Figure 5. Example model greenhouse
Guide Questions:
Write the answers in your notebook or on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Does your greenhouse model show the complete elements found in a
real greenhouse effect? Briefly explain.
2. With the use of your own greenhouse model, explain why there is an
increase in the Earth’s temperature.

Activity 2. Atmosphere –Blanket of the Earth

Objectives
This activity will enable you to:
1. compare the temperature using blankets with different thicknesses;
and
2. make a comparison between the amount of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere over rural areas and urban areas using blankets.

Materials Needed
3 blankets with different thickness (Thin, Thicker, Thickest)
Procedures
a. Lie down on your bed without a blanket for 5 minutes.
Observe the temperature. What do you feel? Record it in your
notebook.
b. Now, cover yourself with a thin blanket for 5 minutes.
Observe the temperature and record it in your notebook.
c. Next, use a thicker blanket. Do the same as in number 2.
d. Lastly, use the thickest blanket.

Guide Questions:
1. Describe how you felt when you do not have a blanket. Was it hot or
cold?

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 2. How about when you used a thin blanket? Thicker blanket? Thickest
blanket?
3. Among the blankets you have used, which do you think represents the
amount of greenhouse gases over rural and urban areas? Explain why.

What I Have Learned

Directions. Complete the paragraph by choosing the correct answers found

inside the box and write them in your notebook or on a separate sheet of
paper.
Troposphere greenhouse effect atmosphere exosphere
Thermosphere fossil fuel global warming temperature
greenhouse gases Stratosphere altitude mesosphere
The envelope of air that surrounds the Earth where all weather events
happen is called (1) ____________________. It is divided into five layers based on
the (2) ____________________ and (3) ____________________.
The (4) ____________________ is the layer closest to Earth’s surface. The
temperature just above the ground is hotter than the temperature high
above. Weather occurs in the troposphere because this layer has most of the
water vapor.
The (5) ____________________ is the layer of air that extends to about 50 km
from the Earth’s surface. Many jet planes fly in the stratosphere because it is
very stable. It is in the stratosphere that we find the ozone layer.
The layer between 50 km and 80 km above the Earth’s surface is called
the (6) ____________________. Air in this layer is very thin and cold. Meteors or
rock fragments burn up in here.
The (7) ____________________ is between 80 km and 110 km above the
Earth. Space shuttles fly in this area, and it is also where the auroras are
found. Auroras are caused when the solar wind strikes gases in the
atmosphere above the Poles.
The upper limit of our atmosphere is the (8) ____________________. This layer
of the atmosphere merges into space. Satellites are stationed in this area,
500 km to 1000 km from Earth.
The Earth’s atmosphere is compared to a greenhouse. The process by
which the Earth’s atmosphere warms up is called (9) ____________________ and
the trace gases are referred to as (10) ____________________.

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 What I Can Do

Directions. Write a short paragraph explaining how global atmospheric

phenomena, like the greenhouse effect, global warming, and ozone depletion,
affect people, plants, animals, and the physical environment around the
world. Write it in your notebook or on a separate sheet of paper.

Scoring Rubric

Points Description
 Students’ understanding of the concept is very evident.
4  Students use effective strategies to get accurate results.
 Students use logical thinking to arrive at a conclusion.

 Students’ understanding of the concept is evident.

3  Students use appropriate strategies to arrive at a result.
 Students somehow show logical thinking skills to arrive at a
conclusion.
 Students have a limited understanding of the concept.
2  Students use strategies that are ineffective.
 Students attempt to show thinking skills.

 Students have a complete lack of understanding of the

1 concept.
 Students do not attempt to use a strategy.

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  Students show no understanding.

Assessment

I. Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it in your
notebook or on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is the basis for the division of the layers surrounding the Earth?
a. Changing amount of oxygen
b. Changing the composition of gases
c. Changing temperature
d. Changing weather patterns

2. What characteristics differentiate the troposphere from the other layers

of the atmosphere?
a. It is where most water vapor is found.
b. It begins about 16km above the Earth’s surface.
c. It is where all the weather phenomena take place.
d. It is where temperature decreases with an altitude of 2 ⁰ C/1000ft.

3. Which of the following human activities contribute to global warming?

I. Burning of fuels
II. Deforestation
III. Overpopulation
IV. Planting of trees in wider area
a. I only c. I, II, III, IV
b. I, II, III d. IV only

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4. Which of the following is not a way to prevent global warming from
getting worse?
a. Conserving electricity
b. Cutting of trees
c. Reducing the use of gasoline and gasoline-related products
(burning of these in car engines release CO 2 )
d. Turning rice fields into residential or commercial centers

5. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are both greenhouse gases. Why are
we so worried about increasing carbon dioxide and NOT water vapor?
a. This is usually an indication that an El Niňo event is coming.
b. Land heats up faster than water during the day, and it also cools
faster at night.
c. Global warming is primarily a problem of too much carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere.
d. Water vapor collects in the atmosphere but falls as rain when they
ae heavy enough.