Watch the three-part webinar on this chapter here.
Atmosphere
Atmosphere
3 Nov (Wed) 1015 - Lesson 1: Atmosphere and Air Pollution
8 Nov (Mon) 1115 - Lesson 2: Reducing Effects of Air Pollution
09 Nov (Tue) 1015 - Lesson 3: Global Warming and Ozone Depletion
1. Our Atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere
Learn about layers of atmosphere with Dr. Binocs. Did you know that the Earth's atmosphere is divided into various layers? And each one is different from the other?
Interactive Exploration
Move the cursor across different regions of the altitude scale to observe relative compositions and temperatures.
Turbulent mixing keeps the relative concentrations of gases nearly constant in the lowest 100 km. At higher altitudes, molecular diffusion controls the concentrations, with the lighter gases becoming relatively more abundant with increasing altitude.
2. Fractional Distillation of Liquid Air
Fractional Distillation of Liquid Air and Air Pollution
In this video, we will take a look at
1) Composition of clean air
2) Separating air into components using fractional distillation of liquid air
3) Source and effects of pollutants
Liquid Nitrogen Science
Learn about fun stuff you can do with liquid nitrogen!
3. Common Pollutants
Is it really funny?
How many different things can you spot on the poster that are causing air pollution? How many of them are really necessary? Make a list of suggestions for things that people could do to cut down on the air pollution that they are causing.
Singapore Green Plan 2030
Climate change is a global challenge, and Singapore is taking firm actions to build a sustainable future. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a national sustainability movement which seeks to encourage Singaporeans to work together and take action to tackle climate change.
Watch this video to find out why sustainable development is important to Singapore, and for an introduction to the Singapore Green Plan.
4. Acid Rain
Acid Rain Formation
In this video, we will learn about how acid rain is form and its effect on the environment.
Acid Rain Concept Cartoon
Look at the conversation depicted in the cartoon. Discuss reasons why each of the characters may be right or wrong about acid rain.
5. Reducing Air Pollution
What are catalytic converters?
Learn the basics about catalytic converters, as a part of the overall environmental chemistry topic.
Inside a catalytic converter
What does it actually look like? The first 3 mins would be more relevant to our syllabus.
Reducing Oxides of Sulfur in the Atmosphere
This video highlights various ways in which sulfur dioxide can be reduced in the atmosphere. Can you think of any limitations of these methods?
6. The Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect
The Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect
This video introduces the carbon cycle and the mechanism behind the greenhouse effect.
It also explains how human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming.
Annotated Diagrams
Label the following diagrams with arrows and labels to show the carbon cycle and how greenhouse effect works.
Download a printable verson here.
7. Global Warming and Climate Change
Big Data and Climate Change
Big data is crucial for understanding and addressing climate change by facilitating accurate climate modelling, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.
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Visit the two websites below. What insights can you gather? What do you find shocking or surprising?
Our World in Data
Vital Signs of our Earth
Climate Time Machine
NASA's Climate Time Machine allows users to explore how various indicators of the Earth's climate have changed over time and what the impact of further changes could be. The climatic indicators explored in the visualization are sea ice, sea level, carbon dioxide, and global temperature.
The Forefront of Carbon Recycling
Besides reducing COâ‚‚ emissions, a key factor in global warming, explore new ways to capture it from the atmosphere, in a cutting-edge Carbon Recycling Factory.
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Watch the documentary from NHK World and think of the following questions:
• Why is there a correlation between COâ‚‚ concentration and pH of the ocean?
• What are some implications of global warming shown in the video?
• How does the Direct Air Capture method work?
What makes certain gases greenhouse gases?
(Enrichment)
This has to do with the vibrational modes of certain molecules. Molecules such as water and carbon dioxide have asymmetric modes of vibrations which are infra-red active. This makes them trap heat in the atmosphere.
Climate Change Concept Cartoon
Look at the conversation depicted in the cartoon. Discuss reasons why each of the characters may be right or wrong about climate change.
8. Ozone Layer Depletion
What is the ozone hole?
Think of the ozone layer as Earth's sunglasses, protecting life on the surface from the harmful glare of the sun's strongest ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer and other maladies.
Ozone stinks. People who breathe it gag as their lungs burn. The EPA classifies ground-level ozone as air pollution. Yet without it, life on Earth would be impossible.
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In the presence of sunlight, CFCs decompose to produce chlorine atoms, which react with ozone molecules, thereby depleting the ozone layer.