Calculating the Rate of Change of Atmospheric CO2
Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution|Published on: July 7, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This activity involves drawing best-fit lines on a data graph and calculating the slopes of those lines to compare the rate of increase in CO2 concentrations over different time periods.
- Students will learn about the global carbon cycle, the natural and human causes of CO2 emissions, seasonal variations in atmospheric concentrations, and the mathematical formula for calculating the slope of a line.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource is technical but is written in a way that students will understand.
- The scientific writing at the beginning of the resource does an excellent job of setting up the activity and giving meaning to the mathematical work that comes later.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be able to read a graph and perform division problems.
Differentiation
- Connections can be made to health and social studies classes by discussing the impacts of global warming on human health and well being.
- This could be a great way to add in climate change and global warming topics into math classes.
- Other related resources include this video about CO2 in the ice core record, this activity that lets students check their carbon footprint, and this interactive resource that allows students to see the biggest carbon drivers for specific places around the world.
This resource has students examine a 60-year carbon dioxide record in order to understand cyclical and seasonal patterns, as well as determine the overall trend. Students are tasked with determining the trend using various numerical methods and demonstrates how to determine if the rate of change is linear or nonlinear. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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