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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Interactions in the Atmosphere
Science – Grade 10
Quarter 4 – Module 2: Interactions in the Atmosphere
First Edition, 2021

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any
work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
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Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
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holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Niezl Mae D. Delgado
Editors: Honey Lynne A. Boyles, Romel S. Villarubia, Erick Venn R. Rollon
Reviewers: Wilgar M. Daria, Rolando B. Gello-ano
Layout Artist: Niezl Mae D. Delgado
Illustrator: Erick Venn Rollon
Management Team:
Josephine L. Fadul – Schools Division Superintendent
Melanie P. Estacio – Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Christine C. Bagacay – Chief - Curriculum Implementation Division
Honey Lynne A. Boyles – Education Program Supervisor in Science
Lorna C. Ragos – Education Program Supervisor in LRMS

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Division of Tagum City

Office Address: E-Park Apokon, Tagum City

Telefax: (084) -215-3504

E-mail Address: [email protected]

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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Interactions in the Atmosphere
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to
understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if
you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better
understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer
the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each
activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how
they can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and
tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.

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 Let Us Learn!

This module welcomes you to the fourth quarter of this subject.

Previously, you have dealt with ways of using Earth’s resources sustainably.
Now you are going to explore about Interactions in the Atmosphere.

Can you still remember the effects and damages of Typhoon Yolanda
and Typhoon Ondoy? The impact of monsoons was experienced based on the
flooding in most parts of the Philippines even with the absence of the typhoon.
A lot of people experienced suffering because of loss of properties and loved
ones.
In this module, you are going to learn about how the energy from the
Sun interacts with the layers of the atmosphere (S7ES-IVc-4) and the
occurrence of land and sea breezes, monsoons and intertropical convergence
zone or ITCZ (S7ES-IVf-7).

After going through this module, you are expected to:

a. discuss how energy from the Sun interacts with the layers of the
atmosphere; and
b. explain the occurrence of land and sea breezes, monsoons and
intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

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 Let Us Try!

Great job! You are now making your moves towards completing this
module!

How well do you know about interactions in the atmosphere?

Let us try to find out by answering the following questions. After

honestly answering this, you may check the answers at the last part of this
module.

Multiple Choice

Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write
the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is more likely to happen to the air just above the surface that becomes
warmer?
a. It rises from the ground.
b. It sinks more to the ground.
c. There is an increase on the air’s density.
d. The particles of the air moves closer.

2. What is most likely to happen to a cold air mass when it comes in contact
with the Earth’s warm surface?
a. It becomes colder.
b. it gets warmer.
c. there is an increase in its density.
d. There is no change in temperature.

3. The troposphere is also known as the weather sphere for what reason?
a. It contains the densest air.
b. The troposphere has a high concentration of ozone.
c. It is in this sphere that water vapor is found mostly.
d. In the troposphere, there is an increase in altitude when temperature
decreases.

4. This is the process wherein circulatory movement is set up in liquids and

gases because of unequal heating.
a. conduction c. convection
b. insolation d. radiation

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5. Land breeze is observed at night for the reason:
a. that the air is not stalled.
b. that there is much water vapor in the land.
c. air over the land sinks because of its coolness which creates
differences in pressure.
d. air over the land rises because it is warm which creates differences
in pressure.

6. What is/are the possible cause/s of heating in the atmosphere’s lower part?
a. solar radiation
b. Earth’s surface radiation
c. trapping of the Earth’s radiation by some atmospheric gases.
d. all of the above.

7. Which of the following statements is incorrect about the atmosphere’s water

vapor?
a. Air temperature is regulated by water vapor.
b. Rainfall is not possible in the absence of water vapor.
c. all layers of the atmosphere contains water vapor.
d. one of the important components of the atmosphere is water vapor.

8. What is the reason that the Earth’s troposphere is warm?

a. ozone layer
b. Earth’s surface
c. greenhouse effect
d. direct ray’s from the Sun

9. Why does warm air rise and cold air sinks?

a. Warm air is less dense than cold air.
b. Warm air has less mass than cold air.
c. Warm air exerts less pressure than cold air.
d. The average kinetic energy of the molecules of warm air is less.

10. These are winds that change direction with seasons.

a. Breeze
b. Monsoons
c. Typhoons
d. Warm air

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 Let Us Study

Good Job! Let’s keep this going!

What Are the Layers of the Atmosphere?

______________________
-particles are moving because of the radiation that they absorb;
Temperature increases as altitude increases;
Region of highly-ionized gases.
______________________
-temperature decreases as altitude increases;
most meteors burn up when they enter this layer
______________________
-temperature gradually increases as altitude
increases; clouds are almost absent in this layer
______________________
-lowermost level and has the densest air;
temperature decreases as altitude increases

Arrange the Layers of the Atmosphere

Direction: Arrange the different levels of the atmosphere based on its

location and definition. Choose from the list of layers below:

STRATOSPHERE
THERMOSPHERE
TROPOSPHERE
MESOSPHERE

Figure 1. Layers of the atmosphere

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Layers of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided vertically into various layers based on

temperatures. From the ground going up, the layers of the atmosphere are
the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. Because of the
smaller amount of gases, the atmosphere becomes less dense as one goes
farther from Earth’s surface.

The troposphere is the bottom layer and contains the most dense air. It
is otherwise known as the “weather sphere” because this is where
precipitation, storms and clouds occur. Temperature in this layer decreases
as the altitude increases.

The next layer of the atmosphere is called stratosphere. Temperature in

this layer gradually increases as the altitude increases. This is the layer of the
atmosphere where the ozone layer is found. The ozone layer is responsible for
absorbing ultraviolet rays from the Sun.

After the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Temperature in this layer

decreases as the altitude increases. Most meteors or rock fragments burn up
as they enter this layer.

The top layer is the thermosphere. Movement of the particles in this

layer results from its absorption of solar radiation. Because of this, the
temperature in this layer increases as the altitude increases. This layer is a
region of highly ionized gases. A glow in the sky is produced because of the
heating of ions with constant flow of energetic solar and cosmic radiation.

For better understanding of the layers of the atmosphere, you can visit
this youtube video: https://youtu.be/5sg9sCOXFIk.

Warming of the Earth’s Atmosphere

How is Earth’s atmosphere heated?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

As Earth receives solar energy, interactions between the sun and the
Earth’s atmosphere happen. Direct solar radiation reaching the Earth is not
the main cause of heating in the atmosphere although the main source of
energy on Earth is the Sun. Solar radiation that is not reflected or scattered
back into space reaches Earth’s surface and is mostly absorbed by bodies of

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water. The absorbed radiation does not stay long on Earth’s surface. It is
released back into the air, but not as the original shortwave radiation; instead
as longwave radiation-the infrared radiation. This is detected as heat.

Energy radiated by Earth’s surface is readily absorbed by certain gases,

such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. The atmosphere becomes warm in
this process. The heating of Earth’s atmosphere due to the trapping of heat
by carbon dioxide and water vapor is called greenhouse effect. Burning of
fossil fuel increases carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. Water
vapor absorbs roughly five times more radiation than other gases. It can be
recalled that in the troposphere, temperature decreases as altitude increases.
This is because the atmosphere is heated from the ground upward, rather
than from the upper part downward.

Greenhouse effect is important because it keeps Earth’s surface from

being completely frozen, making earth livable. However, too much greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere causes worldwide increase in temperature called
global warming. Global warming causes polar ice caps to melt, ocean levels to
rise and droughts to occur.

Movement in the Atmosphere

How does the warming of Earth’s atmosphere cause its movement?

Convection Current

A consequence of the warming of Earth’s atmosphere due to convection

and radiation of heat from Earth’s warm surface during daytime is the rising
of the heated air. The heated air rises because of its lower density. As heated
air rises, it is replaced by the colder air above it. Since energy is given off to
the surrounding air by the rising air, its temperature decreases eventually. At
the same time, the once colder air, that has replaced the rising air is now
warmed by the surface of Earth of Earth, rises, and is replaced by the cooled
air above, and the cycle continues. This vertical movement of air is called
convection current. Convection current transfers energy, causing temperature
changes in Earth’s troposphere.

Wind

Air moving horizontally is called wind. Air moves horizontally if there is

a difference in air pressure at different places at the same latitude. Air moves
from areas of higher pressure toward areas of lower pressure. Wind has two
characteristics-speed and direction. Wind speed is the measure of the
distance traveled by air per unit time. Wind direction is the direction from

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which the wind moves. A sea breeze, for example, comes from sea, and a land
breeze comes from land. An easterly comes from land. An easterly comes from
the east, and a westerly comes from the west.

For further learning activity that will help you understand the
movement in the atmosphere, you can view this video:
https://youtu.be/0yXC45dgmSs.

Local Winds

Land breeze and sea breeze are local winds. Local winds are winds that
change daily in regular patterns. Local winds blow within small areas such as
near shorelines. During the day, Earth’s surface is warmer than the sea.
Therefore, the air over the land is warmer than the air over the sea. Warmer
air is less dense, so this air rises over the land, creating an area of low
pressure. Cooler, denser air from over the sea replaces the warm air over the
land. Since winds are named from where they come from, this wind is called
sea breeze. At night, the air over the sea is now warmer than the air over the
land. Less dense air over the sea air rises, creating an area of low pressure.
Wind from the land moves toward the sea. This is called a land breeze.

(a)

(b)
Figure 2. Movement of air during (a) daytime and (b) nighttime

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Monsoon

Aside from the local winds, other effects of the patterns of heating and
cooling of the atmosphere are monsoons. Monsoons are winds that change
direction as the season changes. Wind blows from one direction for six
months, then reverses and lasts in this direction for another six months.
Monsoons are caused by the different heating and cooling trends of land and
sea annually.

Northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon are two of the principal air
streams in the Philippines. Together with the North Pacific trades, they have
the greatest impact on the climate of the Philippines.

Northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, originates from the cold

winter anticyclone. Anticyclones are centers of high pressure. In an
anticyclone, air pressure increases from the outside toward the center.
Northeast monsoon starts over Siberia as cold, dry air mass. Then, it follows
the path across Japan toward northwestern Pacific Ocean. The dry air mass
gathers moisture as it travels across the Pacific Ocean before reaching the
eastern section of the Philippines. It is characterized by widespread
cloudiness with rains and rain showers. The northeast monsoon affects the
country from late October up to early March.

The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, originates as Indian

Ocean trade winds from the Indian Ocean anticyclone during the Southern
Hemisphere winter. Trade winds are air that travels towards equatorward.
The winds are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere upon crossing
the equator. They arrive in the Philippines as southwesterly streams. The
southwest monsoon affects the country from June to early October and is
characterized by heavy rainfall that may last for a week. It brings the rainy
season to the western portion of the country.

The Intertropical Convergence Zone

The Intertropical Convergence Zone is also known as equatorial trough

or doldrums. The ITCZ is where trade winds from the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres converge or meet. It is a region near the equator that circles
Earth, hence, the word “intertropical.” It is a zone of discontinuity in the wind
fold between the streams form the Northern Hemisphere and another from
the Southern Hemisphere.

The ITCZ affects the Philippines from May to October. From November
to April, it is located south of the Philippines. With the change of the seasons,
the zone of convergence moves back and forth across the equator. In the ITCZ,

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air motion is mainly vertical. This provides moderate to strong surface winds
and frequent cloudiness, rain, and thunderstorms.

The ITCZ varies with seasons. Its poleward movement is more

noticeable over land than over water and over the Northern Hemisphere than
over the Southern Hemisphere. In July and August, the ITCZ is between 5
degrees and 15 degrees north of the equator over the Atlantic Ocean and
Pacific Ocean; over the landmasses of Africa and Asia, it is further North. It
may move up to 3o degrees north of the equator.

Let Us Practice

Very good! You made it this far! Let us continue rolling!

Activity 1: Sun’s Interactions with the Layers of the Atmosphere

Answer the following questions. Write your answers in a separate sheet

of paper.

1. In a paragraph form, explain what impact has the Sun’s energy to the
weather. Choose at least three from the following concepts and include
it in your write-up.

2. Explain what you think will happen to the Earth’s temperature if there
is a change in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

3. Picture yourself in the future and explain what are the possible impact
of increasing greenhouse gases.

Let Us Practice More

Activity 2: Intertropical Convergence Zone

Answer the question below. Place your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Based on your understanding about the topics in Intertropical

Convergence Zone, what do you think are the possible future
modifications in the northeast monsoon rainfall are expected and what
areas in the Philippines has the highest possibility to be affected?

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 Activity 3: Land or Sea Breeze?

In a clean sheet of paper, complete the following concept map by providing

words related to land and sea breeze.

LAND
BREEZE

LAND
BREEZE

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 Let Us Remember

Awesome! Now, let us gather what we have learned.

Classes for this school year started on October 2020. If there

is a resumption of face to face classes for the school year 2021-2022
and opening of classes will be on September 2021 and knowing that
the southwest monsoon prevails in the Philippines from June to
October every year, do you think it is a good idea to start classes on
September?

Task: Write a speech about your views and perspectives about

this matter.

Let Us Assess

Superb! Just Superb! It’s time to try the fruit of our journey!

Modified True or False

Direction: Write the word true if you think the statement is correct and
identify what word makes the sentence incorrect and write it in you answer
sheet.

1. The Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ is where trade winds from the
Southern hemisphere and Northern hemisphere encounter.

2. The southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon are the two monsoons
affecting the Philippines.

3. Winds that change directions along with seasons are known as monsoons.

4. The cool air that moves from the sea to the land during daytime is the sea
breeze.

5. Air that moves from the land to the sea at nighttime is known as land
breeze.

6. Air moving vertically is called wind.

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7. A wind is named depending on where it is travelling to.

8. The energy received on Earth’s surface is radiated to the atmosphere in the

form of solar energy.

9. Gases that radiate infrared radiation and cools the atmosphere are called
greenhouse gases.

10. The warming of the Earth’s atmosphere is due to direct solar radiation.

11. Not all gases in the atmosphere absorbs solar radiation.

12. The atmosphere is an envelope of air surrounding the sun.

13. The layers of the atmosphere based on increasing altitude are the
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere.

14. The atmosphere is made up of 78% oxygen, 21% nitrogen, and 1% other
gases including carbon dioxide, water vapor, argon and other noble gases.

15. Not including its basic components, the atmosphere contains by-products
of human activities including gases and particulates.

Let Us Enhance

You are amazing! This would be easy lemon squeezy!

Use the following words in a sentence. Please write your answer in a

separate sheet of paper.

1. Atmosphere
2. Air
3. Wind
4. Intertropical convergence zone
5. Land breeze
6. Sea breeze
7. Monsoons
8. Ozone layer
9. Greenhouse gases
10. Global warming

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 Let Us Reflect

Congratulations! Might what to share your deep thought on this!

Performance Task
Goal Write a speech on global warming.

Role You are an environmentalist advocating ways to

address problems in global warming. You are
task to deliver a speech in a local barangay that
would help you convince the locals to practice
ways and means that will help prevent global
warming.

Audience The listeners are your locals from the barangay

including local officials.

Situation Being an environmentalist, you are to give a

speech regarding ways and means to mitigate the
effects of global warming. You are delegated to
give a speech that would help you convince your
locals in the barangay to implement virtuous
ways and means that will help prevent global
warming concerns.

Product A speech on the significance of supporting

advocacy that will help prevent global warming.

Standard Rubric will be used to rate your written speech.

• Quality
• Grammar and Usage

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 Rubrics
Points/ Title Quality Grammar and Usage
(5) • The output is written • No spelling,
Expert in an extraordinary punctuation, or
style. Very grammatical errors
informative and well-
organized

(4) • The output is written • Minimal spelling

Accomplished in an interesting and punctuation
style. errors, minor
grammatical errors
• Somewhat
informative and
organized.

(3) • Output had little • Some spelling,

Capable style. punctuation or
grammatical errors
• Gives some new
information but
poorly organized.

(2) • Output had a very • More spelling,

Developing little style punctuation and
grammatical errors
• Gives very few that it interferes
information and very with the meaning
poorly organized

(1) • Output had no style • Much spelling,

Beginner punctuation and
• No new information grammatical errors
and very poorly that it interferes
organized with the meaning

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Let us Assess Let us Study Let us Try
1. True
2. True What Are the 1. a
3. True Layers of the 2. b
4. True Atmosphere? 3. a
5. True Thermosphere 4. c
6. vertically Mesosphere 5. c
7. travelling Stratosphere 6. d
to Troposphere 7. c
8. solar 8. d
energy Arrange the 9. a
9. radiate Layers of the 10.b
10.Solar Atmosphere
radiation Thermosphere
11.True Mesosphere
12.Sun Stratosphere
13.True Troposphere
14.noble
15.True
Answer key to Activities
 References

Ahrens, C. Donald. Meteorology Today : an Introduction to Weather, Climate, and

the Environment. Belmont, CA :Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 2007.

Hidore, John J., and John E. Oliver. Climatology: An Atmospheric Science. New
York: Macmillan, 1993.

Nebel, Bernard J., and Richard T. Wright. Environmental Science: The Way the
World Works. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2000.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Tagum City

E-Park, Apokon, Tagum City

Telefax: (084)-216-3504

Email Address: [email protected]

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