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The Atmosphere

CONCEPTUAL
Science›Weather & Climate|Ages 9—11|ID: mt_fkcxpeYP85

Know that Earth is surrounded by a layer of air called the atmosphere, that air has weight and exerts pressure, that the atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation and keeps the planet warm enough for life, and that weather happens in the lowest layer (troposphere)

Mastery Evidence

  • Define the atmosphere as the layer of air surrounding Earth
  • State that air has weight and exerts pressure
  • Explain that weather occurs in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] explain that we're surrounded by a blanket of air called the atmosphere, that this air actually has weight and pushes on everything, and that all our weather happens in the lowest layer?”

Prerequisites1

Show full prerequisite tree
  • What Causes Wind hard

    Atmosphere concept builds on knowing air moves (wind) and has properties

    • What Is Wind? hard

      Understanding wind causes requires knowing what wind is

Unlocks2