Molecular Energy and Earth’s Atmosphere

Lesson Summary

This lesson has students apply their understanding of energy conversions and molecular energy to describe how the atmospheres of rocky planets might form.

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to: 

• explain energy conversions that occur in Earth’s atmosphere.

• calculate the kinetic energy of molecules in the atmosphere.

• describe current research related to what can create thin atmospheres on rocky planets.

Standards

Science and Engineering Practices:

MA Science and Technology/Engineering (2016):

NGSS (2013):

Common Core Math/Language Arts Standards:

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