Fiducia TogetherThe Earth's atmosphere and resources
How the atmosphere formed, what pollutes it, and how we use up finite resources.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
The early atmosphere was mostly carbon dioxide from volcanic activity; oxygen appeared once photosynthesising organisms evolved, and carbon dioxide fell as it dissolved and was locked into rocks and fossil fuels.
Where it applies
GCSE chemistry and combined science.
How it works
Greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour — absorb outgoing infrared and re-emit it, warming the surface. Combustion also produces carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates, each with named effects.
Sustainable use covers reduce, reuse, recycle, life cycle assessment and potable water treatment.
How to use it in your work
Learn which pollutant causes which problem: sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause acid rain; carbon monoxide is toxic because it binds to haemoglobin; particulates cause respiratory problems and global dimming.
For life cycle assessment, cover all four stages: raw materials, manufacture, use, and disposal.
Where to get help
Your teacher, your board's specification for the depth required at your tier, and Bitesize for the diagrams.
Revise this with a song
These are ours. We write revision songs because a lot of people remember a tune when they cannot remember a page, and because revising out loud in the kitchen beats staring at a highlighter.
- The Chemistry Song The GCSE chemistry specification, set to music.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.