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Lesson 30: Carbon Dioxide and Human Activity Sources of CO₂ Burning fossil fuels Link to climate change
Year 8 • Chemistry
Carbon Dioxide and Human Activity
In this lesson, students explore sources of carbon dioxide, understand how human activities such as burning fossil fuels increase CO₂ levels, and learn how this links to climate change.
Lesson Objectives
- Identify major sources of carbon dioxide.
- Explain how burning fossil fuels produces CO₂.
- Understand the greenhouse effect (intro).
- Link human activity to climate change.
1. What Is Carbon Dioxide?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colourless gas found naturally in the air.
It is produced during respiration and many chemical reactions.
[ Image Placeholder – Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere ]
Carbon dioxide is important for:
• Plant photosynthesis
• Keeping Earth warm
• Plant photosynthesis
• Keeping Earth warm
2. Sources of Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide comes from both natural processes and human activities.
[ Image Placeholder – Natural and Human CO₂ Sources ]
Sources include:
• Breathing (respiration)
• Burning fuels
• Factories and power stations
• Breathing (respiration)
• Burning fuels
• Factories and power stations
3. Burning Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas contain carbon.
When burned, they react with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
[ Image Placeholder – Burning Fossil Fuels ]
Examples:
• Cars burning petrol
• Power stations burning coal
• Gas used for heating
• Cars burning petrol
• Power stations burning coal
• Gas used for heating
4. Link to Climate Change
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Too much carbon dioxide traps extra heat in the atmosphere.
[ Image Placeholder – Greenhouse Effect ]
Effects of increased CO₂:
• Rising global temperatures
• Melting ice caps
• Changes in weather patterns
• Rising global temperatures
• Melting ice caps
• Changes in weather patterns
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- Carbon dioxide is a __________ gas.
- Burning fossil fuels produces __________.
- Coal, oil, and gas are __________ fuels.
- CO₂ is a __________ gas.
- Extra CO₂ causes Earth to become __________.
B. True or False
- Carbon dioxide is found naturally in air.
- Cars produce carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide cools the Earth.
- Fossil fuels contain carbon.
- Human activity affects CO₂ levels.
C. Short Answer
- What is carbon dioxide?
- Name one source of CO₂.
- What happens when fossil fuels burn?
- Why is too much CO₂ a problem?
- Give one way to reduce CO₂ emissions.
✅ Show Answer Key
A. Fill in the Blanks
- greenhouse
- carbon dioxide
- fossil
- greenhouse
- warmer
B. True or False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
C. Short Answer
- A gas made of carbon and oxygen.
- Cars / power stations.
- Carbon dioxide is formed.
- It traps too much heat.
- Use renewable energy / reduce car use.
© Aviate Learning – Carbon Dioxide and Human Activity (Year 8)