Earth's Atmosphere

What You'll Learn

The atmosphere has several layers. The troposphere (closest to Earth) contains our weather. The stratosphere contains the ozone layer that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Key Words

watershed
erosion
weathering

Materials Needed

plastic tray
magnifying glass
newspaper
spray bottle
cups

Safety First

Wear safety goggles when mixing liquids.
Wash hands after handling materials.
Be careful with scissors — ask an adult for help if needed.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read the introduction and identify the main idea of this lesson.

Step 2 — Do

Create a model of the water cycle in a bowl: place warm water in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, put ice on top, and observe condensation and precipitation.

Step 3 — Observe

Look for patterns in your observations.

Step 4 — Record

Make a graph or chart showing your results.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is the atmosphere?