What is the atmosphere?

The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the Earth that is held in place by gravity.

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

Explain what the greenhouse effect is, and how it works. 

The greenhouse effect is the process by which heat energy is trapped within our atmosphere by greenhouse gas molecules.


  1. Solar radiation from the sun passes through the atmosphere and hits the earth.
  2. The earth absorbs this energy and reemits it as a longer wavelength of radiation towards space.
  3. Some of the longer wavelength energy makes it all the way to space, but much is absorbed by small molecules called greenhouse gases.
  4. These molecules then reemit the energy and the whole process of absorption and emission can happen over and over again.
  5. This trapped energy keeps the atmosphere warmer and more stable than it would otherwise be. 

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

What are the 2 main greenhouse gases produced by humans?

Carbon dioxide and methane.

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

What is global warming?

Global warming refers to the overall increase in the earth's temperature.

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

What is climate change?

Climate change is a consequence of global warming and refers to the effects on the climate, such as large-scale shifts in weather patterns.

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

What is climate?

Climate describes the typical weather conditions in an entire region for a very long time, such as average temperatures or the frequency of storms.

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

What is weather?

Weather refers to short term atmospheric conditions, like whether it's raining or sunny on a particular day.

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.

What are some of the consequences of global warming?

More frequent extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, heat waves, and forest fires. Sea levels rise. Melting ice caps. Reduced biodiversity. Changing migration patterns. 

Answer in your head, out loud, or on paper, then tap the card to flip.