The behavior, structure and composition of the atmosphere influence variations in all ecosystems. Knowledge and understanding: Guidance: The atmosphere is a dynamic system Students should recognize the (with inputs, outputs, flows and storages) atmosphere as a dynamic system. The that has undergone changes throughout composition of the atmosphere has geological time. changed throughout geological history. The atmosphere is predominantly a Living organisms (biotic components) mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, with have transformed the atmospheric smaller amounts of carbon dioxide, composition of the Earth and vice versa argon, water vapor and other trace throughout history. gases. The use of chemical symbols or chemical Human activities impact atmospheric formulae for atmospheric gases is not composition through altering inputs and required. outputs of the system. Changes in the International-mindedness: concentrations of atmospheric as ozone, carbon dioxide, and Impact to the atmosphere from pollutants water vapor—have significant effects on can be localized, as evidenced by the ecosystems. destruction of the ozone layer over the Most reactions connected to living poles of the Earth. systems occur in the inner layers of the Pollutants released to the atmosphere atmosphere, which are the troposphere are carried by currents in the atmosphere (0–10 km above sea level) and the and may create damage in a location stratosphere (10–50 km above sea other than where they are produced. level). Most clouds form in the troposphere and Theory of knowledge: play an important role in the albedo effect of the planet. The atmosphere is a dynamic The greenhouse effect of the atmosphere should we react when we have is a natural and necessary phenomenon evidence that does not fit with an existing maintaining suitable temperatures for theory? living systems. Connections: Applications and skills:
The behavior, structure and composition of the atmosphere influence variations in all ecosystems. Knowledge and understanding: The atmosphere is a dynamic system (with inputs, outputs, flows and storages) that has undergone changes throughout geological time. The atmosphere is predominantly a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, with smaller amounts of carbon dioxide, argon, water vapor and other trace gases. Human activities impact atmospheric composition through altering inputs and outputs of the system. Changes in the concentrations of atmospheric as ozone, carbon dioxide, and water vapor—have significant effects on ecosystems. Most reactions connected to living systems occur in the inner layers of the atmosphere, which are the troposphere (0–10 km above sea level) and the stratosphere (10–50 km above sea level). Most clouds form in the troposphere and play an important role in the albedo effect of the planet. The greenhouse effect of the atmosphere is a natural and necessary phenomenon maintaining suitable temperatures for living systems. Applications and skills: Guidance: Students should recognize the atmosphere as a dynamic system. The composition of the atmosphere has changed throughout geological history. Living organisms (biotic components) have transformed the atmospheric composition of the Earth and vice versa throughout history. The use of chemical symbols or chemical formulae for atmospheric gases is not required. International-mindedness: Impact to the atmosphere from pollutants can be localized, as evidenced by the destruction of the ozone layer over the poles of the Earth. Pollutants released to the atmosphere are carried by currents in the atmosphere and may create damage in a location other than where they are produced. Theory of knowledge: The atmosphere is a dynamic should we react when we have evidence that does not fit with an existing theory? Connections:
IB_Environmental_Systems_and_Societies_2016.docx