EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE Chapter 9. Earth’s Atmosphere Main Ideas Lesson 1: Energy from the Sun The Sun is the major source of energy for Earth Lesson 2: Energy.

EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

Chapter 9

Earth’s AtmosphereMain IdeasLesson 1: Energy from the Sun

The Sun is the major source of energy for Earth

Lesson 2: Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Earth’s atmosphere distributes thermal energy.

Lesson 3: Air CurrentsSolar energy is responsible for the continuous

movement of air in the troposphere, which transports and distributes thermal energy

around Earth.

Earth’s Atmosphere

The Sun’s energy and Earth’s atmosphere are critical for creating the

conditions needed for life on Earth.

So What?!

EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

Energy from the Sun

Chapter 9, Lesson 1

What You’ll Learn:• Identify some of the differences between

layers of the atmosphere.• Describe how solar radiation reaches Earth’s

surface.• Understand that solar radiation has its

maximum in the range of visible light.• Explain why the sky looks blue.• Identify the Sun as a constant and almost

uniform source of energy for Earth.So What?

The heat from the Sun helps keep Earth’s surface warm.

VocabularyUse your book to locate the definitions for the Review

Vocabulary, New Vocabulary, and Academic Vocabulary words on page 94 of your

Science Notebook.

Earth’s Atmosphere

Identify the main components of the atmosphere and list their percentages.

Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere

Nitrogen

78%

Oxygen

21%

Particles, Water vapor, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Ozone:

1%

Layers in the AtmosphereIdentify the locations of the four layers of the atmosphere. Describe the properties of each

layer.

Earth’s Surface

1. ____________________

______________

2. ____________________

______________

3. ____________________

______________

4. ____________________

______________

_________________________

__________________

_________________________

__________________

_________________________

__________________

thermosphere

mesosphere

stratosphere

troposphere Holds most of Earth’s air

Increasing air temperature with

altitude

No defined upper limit

Summarize It!

Summarize the main ideas of the above

sections in two bullet points.

The Sun’s Continuous SpectrumDefine electromagnetic spectrum. List the 3 types of electromagnetic radiation that make up 99% of solar

radiation.

Electromagnetic spectrum:

Solar radiation consists of:

1.

2.

3.

The entire range of wavelength or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.

Ultraviolet lightVisible light

Infrared radiation

The Sun’s Continuous SpectrumCompare and Contrast infrared and ultraviolet

radiation.

*Longer wavelength than visible light*Felt as heat

*Shorter wavelengt

h than visible

light*Causes

skin to tan or burn

Invisible to

humans

Infrared Radiation Ultraviolet Radiation

Summarize It!

Summarize three main ideas of the above

section.

The Sun’s Continuous SpectrumModel what happens to the Sun’s radiation that strikes

Earth’s atmosphere.

Be sure to indicate

the following

statistics...

The Sun’s PowerSummarize how the angle at which the sun’s radiation strikes Earth affects temperatures.

When a beam of sunlight reaching Earth is almost perpendicular to the surface, as occurs near the equator, the beam is

concentrated over a small area and temperatures are warmer. When

sunlight strikes Earth’s surface at a low angle, as occurs at the poles, the

radiation is spread out over a larger area.

The Sun’s PowerCreate a concept map about the importance of solar

energy on Earth.

Solar Energy

Provides Light

Visible Light Infrared

RadiationUltraviolet

Light

Warms Air & Land @

Earth’s surface

Powers Water Cycle

Powers Photosynt

hesis in Living

Organisms

Forms the Base of

the Food Chain

Summarize It!

Summarize two main ideas of the above

section.

EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

Chapter 9, Lesson 2

What You’ll Learn:• Describe how the air is heated from the

lower layers of the atmosphere.• Explain why hot air rises and cold air

sinks.• Distinguish the properties of the

radiation emitted by the Sun from those of the radiation emitted by Earth.

• Identify the effects of greenhouse gases on Earth’s climate.So What?Heat energy from the Sun that is

distributed through the atmosphere helps keep Earth warm.

VocabularyUse your book to locate the definitions for the Review

Vocabulary, New Vocabulary, and Academic Vocabulary words on page 98 of your

Science Notebook.

Review: Radiation, Conduction, & Convection

Conduction in AirComplete the graphic organizer below with the 3 types of

heat transfer.

Heat Transfer

Occurs by

Conduction Convection Radiation

Convection in AirSummarize why increasing the temperature of air

changes its density.

As the temperature of air increases, the kinetic energy of its particles increases and its molecules move farther apart. As the molecules move farther apart,

the density of the air decreases because fewer molecules occupy the space

available.

Convection in AirModel the way in which convection currents affect air circulation patterns in a room. Use arrows to

show the path of air movement. Label the arrows to indicate warm air and cool air.

WARM AIR

COLD AIR

Summarize It!

Summarize the main ideas of the above

sections in two bullet points.

Radiation Traveling through SpaceCompare and Contrast the three forms of heat transfer.

Radiation Conduction Convection

Does it need a medium?

How is energy

transferred?

no

As electro

-magne

tic waves

yes

Through

collisions

between

particles

Through

movements of

air

yes

Radiation Traveling through SpaceCreate a drawing to show how Earth maintains a

radiation balance.

Radiation Traveling through SpaceCreate a drawing to show how Earth maintains a

radiation balance.

Why is it cold at the poles?

Radiation Traveling through SpaceIdentify three greenhouse gases. Then explain how

scientists think greenhouse gases might play a role in global warming.

1. __________________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ________________

Role in Global Warming:

carbon dioxide

water vapor

methane

Greenhouse gases prevent radiation given off by Earth from going out into space and redirect it toward Earth. Increased amounts of greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere.

Summarize It!

Summarize two main ideas of the above

sections.

EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

Air Currents

Chapter 9, Lesson 3

What You’ll Learn:• Describe how solar energy gives rise

to winds.• Explain why Earth’s surface is heated

unevenly.• Understand how pressure difference

affect winds.• Explain how great air currents circle

Earth, transporting heat and water vapor.

So What?Air currents transport and distribute heat

throughout Earth’s atmosphere.

VocabularyUse your book to locate the definitions for the Review

Vocabulary, New Vocabulary, and Academic Vocabulary words on page 101 of your

Science Notebook.

Local Winds & EddiesSequence the Earth materials to indicate how rapidly each heats up when it absorbs solar

radiation.Increasing Temperature

Less Radiation Absorbed

More Radiation Absorbed

1. Snow & Ice

2. Sand

3. Water 4. Forest

5. Asphalt & Concrete

Local Winds & EddiesCreate two diagrams to show the movement of air in an updraft and in a downdraft. Show heated,

less dense air and cooler, denser air. Use arrows to show the direction of movement.

less dense

more dense cooler, denser air sinks

Summarize It!

Summarize two main ideas of the above

sections.

Air Currents Around EarthModel the directions in which winds blow in the

Northern and Southern Hemispheres as a result of the Coriolis effect.

Air Currents Around EarthComplete the graphic organizer below to identify the cells in the three-cell model of air movement.

Three-Cell Model

From the

_______toward

the _____ until

it sinks near

____________

From the

______ toward

the ________

until it sinks near

____________

Between 30°° and 60° latitude

Hadley Cell

Polar Cell

Ferrel Cell

equatorpole

s30°

latitude

polesequator

60° latitude

Air Currents Around EarthDefine Jet Stream.

Jet Stream: strong, continuous winds found in the troposphere.

Summarize It!

Summarize three main ideas of the above

sections.