The Atmosphere

The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

Terms: atmosphere, air pressure, troposphere, Terms: atmosphere, air pressure, troposphere,

stratosphere, mesosphere, thermospherestratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere

Characteristics of the AtmosphereCharacteristics of the Atmosphere

Describe the Describe the composition of composition of Earth’s atmosphere.Earth’s atmosphere.

What does the What does the name of each name of each atmospheric layer atmospheric layer mean?mean?

Why doesn’t the Why doesn’t the thermosphere feel thermosphere feel hot?hot?

The Composition of the The Composition of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The The atmosphereatmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds is a mixture of gases that surrounds Earth.Earth.

Makes conditions on Earth suitable for living thingsMakes conditions on Earth suitable for living things Gases keep the atmosphere on Earth’s surface warm Gases keep the atmosphere on Earth’s surface warm

enough for water to exist as a liquid, protects against enough for water to exist as a liquid, protects against dangerous radiation, prevents Earth’s surface from dangerous radiation, prevents Earth’s surface from being hit by most meteoroids or chunks of rock from being hit by most meteoroids or chunks of rock from outer space.outer space.

GasesGases Nitrogen 78%Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21%Oxygen 21% Other gases 1%Other gases 1% Water vapor <1%Water vapor <1%

SolidsSolids Dust, volcanic ash, salt, dirt, smokeDust, volcanic ash, salt, dirt, smoke

LiquidsLiquids waterwater

Atmospheric Pressure and Atmospheric Pressure and TemperatureTemperature

As altitude increases, air pressure decreasesAs altitude increases, air pressure decreases Air pressure is strongest at Earth’s surface Air pressure is strongest at Earth’s surface

because more air is above you.because more air is above you. Atmospheric composition affects air Atmospheric composition affects air

temperaturetemperature Temperature differences result from the way Temperature differences result from the way

solar energy is absorbed as it moves through the solar energy is absorbed as it moves through the atmosphereatmosphere

High % of gases that absorb solar energy= High % of gases that absorb solar energy= warmerwarmer

Less gases that absorb solar energy = coolerLess gases that absorb solar energy = cooler

Layers of the AtmosphereLayers of the Atmosphere

Based on temperature changes:Based on temperature changes: Troposphere: layer in which we live; contains Troposphere: layer in which we live; contains

almost all of the weather, carbon dioxide, water almost all of the weather, carbon dioxide, water vapor, clouds, air pollution, and life-formsvapor, clouds, air pollution, and life-forms

Stratosphere: gases are layered and don’t mix; Stratosphere: gases are layered and don’t mix; contains the ozone layer; protects life by contains the ozone layer; protects life by absorbing harmful UV radiationabsorbing harmful UV radiation

Mesosphere: middle layer; the coldest layer; most Mesosphere: middle layer; the coldest layer; most meteoroids burn up here, producing meteoroid meteoroids burn up here, producing meteoroid trailstrails

Thermosphere: temperature increases; does not Thermosphere: temperature increases; does not feel hot; outer most part of atmosphere; no feel hot; outer most part of atmosphere; no definite outer limitdefinite outer limit

SummarySummary

Nitrogen and oxygen make up most of Nitrogen and oxygen make up most of Earth’s atmosphere.Earth’s atmosphere.

Air pressure decreases as altitude Air pressure decreases as altitude increases.increases.

The composition of atmospheric layers The composition of atmospheric layers affects their temperature.affects their temperature.

The troposphere is the lowest atmospheric The troposphere is the lowest atmospheric layer. It is the layer in which we live.layer. It is the layer in which we live.

The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful radiation.which protects us from harmful radiation.

The mesosphere is the coldest atmospheric The mesosphere is the coldest atmospheric layer. Meteoroids burn up in this layer.layer. Meteoroids burn up in this layer.

The thermosphere is the uppermost layer The thermosphere is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.of the atmosphere.

#1 Quick Check#1 Quick Check

Why does the temperature of different Why does the temperature of different layers of the atmosphere vary?layers of the atmosphere vary?

A.A. Because air temperature increases as Because air temperature increases as altitude increasesaltitude increases

B.B. Because the amount of energy radiated Because the amount of energy radiated from the sun variesfrom the sun varies

C.C. Because of interference by humansBecause of interference by humansD.D. Because of the composition of gases in Because of the composition of gases in

each layereach layer


What is the most abundant gas in the What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?atmosphere?

a.a. oxygenoxygen

b.b. hydrogenhydrogen

c.c. nitrogennitrogen

d.d. carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide


A major source of oxygen for the A major source of oxygen for the earth’s atmosphere isearth’s atmosphere is

a. sea water.a. sea water.

b. the sun.b. the sun.

c. animalsc. animals

d. plantsd. plants


The bottom layer of the atmosphere The bottom layer of the atmosphere where almost all weather occurs, is where almost all weather occurs, is thethe

a.a. stratospherestratosphere

b.b. tropospheretroposphere

c.c. thermospherethermosphere

d.d. mesospheremesosphere


The ozone layer is located in theThe ozone layer is located in the

a.a. stratospherestratosphere

b.b. tropospheretroposphere

c.c. thermospherethermosphere

d.d. mesospheremesosphere

Atmospheric HeatingAtmospheric Heating

Terms: radiation, thermal conduction, convection, global Terms: radiation, thermal conduction, convection, global warming, greenhouse effectwarming, greenhouse effect

Atmospheric HeatingAtmospheric Heating

How do differences How do differences in air density cause in air density cause convection currents?convection currents?

What is the radiation What is the radiation balance?balance?

What is the What is the difference between difference between the greenhouse the greenhouse effect and global effect and global warming?warming?

Energy in the AtmosphereEnergy in the Atmosphere

RadiationRadiation: Energy transfer by waves: Energy transfer by waves Transfer of energy as electromagnetic wavesTransfer of energy as electromagnetic waves

ConductionConduction: Energy transfer by contact: Energy transfer by contact Transfer of thermal (heat) energy through Transfer of thermal (heat) energy through

materialmaterial ConvectionConvection: energy transfer by circulation: energy transfer by circulation

Transfer of thermal energy by circulation or Transfer of thermal energy by circulation or movement of a gas or liquid.movement of a gas or liquid.

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect Greenhouse effect and life on earth: process in Greenhouse effect and life on earth: process in

which gases in the atmosphere, water vapor, which gases in the atmosphere, water vapor, carbon dioxide, absorb thermal energy and carbon dioxide, absorb thermal energy and radiate it back to Earth.radiate it back to Earth.

Atmosphere acts as greenhouse effect because Atmosphere acts as greenhouse effect because the gases function like the glass walls and roof the gases function like the glass walls and roof of a greenhouse, allowing solar energy to enter of a greenhouse, allowing solar energy to enter but prevents thermal energy from escaping.but prevents thermal energy from escaping.

The amount of energy Earth receives everyday The amount of energy Earth receives everyday from the sun is balance by the amount of from the sun is balance by the amount of energy Earth reradiates into space.energy Earth reradiates into space.

Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Gases and and

Global WarmingGlobal Warming Global warming is the gradual increase Global warming is the gradual increase

in average global temperature.in average global temperature. Human activity, such as burning of Human activity, such as burning of

fossil fuels, and deforestation, may be fossil fuels, and deforestation, may be increasing the levels of greenhouse increasing the levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere.atmosphere.

If global temperatures continue to rise, If global temperatures continue to rise, it could disrupt global climate patternsit could disrupt global climate patterns

SummarySummary

Energy from the sun is transferred through Energy from the sun is transferred through the atmosphere by radiation, thermal the atmosphere by radiation, thermal conduction, and convection.conduction, and convection.

Radiation is energy transfer by Radiation is energy transfer by electromagnetic waves. Thermal electromagnetic waves. Thermal conduction is energy transfer by direct conduction is energy transfer by direct contact. Convection is energy transfer by contact. Convection is energy transfer by circulation or movement of a gas or liquid.circulation or movement of a gas or liquid.

The greenhouse effect is Earth’s natural The greenhouse effect is Earth’s natural heating process. Increasing levels of heating process. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases could cause global greenhouse gases could cause global warming.warming.


Which of the following is the best Which of the following is the best example of thermal conduction?example of thermal conduction?

A.A. A light bulb warming a lampshadeA light bulb warming a lampshade

B.B. An egg cooking in a frying panAn egg cooking in a frying pan

C.C. Sitting by a fireplace getting warm Sitting by a fireplace getting warm by the fireby the fire

D.D. Gases circulating in the atmosphereGases circulating in the atmosphere


What percentage of the solar energy What percentage of the solar energy that reaches the outer atmosphere that reaches the outer atmosphere is absorbed at the Earth’s surface?is absorbed at the Earth’s surface?

a.a. 20%20%

b.b. 30%30%

c.c. 50%50%

d.d. 70%70%


By which method does most thermal By which method does most thermal energy in the atmosphere circulate?energy in the atmosphere circulate?

A.A. conductionconduction

B.B. convectionconvection

C.C. advectionadvection

D.D. radiationradiation


The balance between incoming and The balance between incoming and outgoing energy is calledoutgoing energy is called

A.A. The convection balance.The convection balance.

B.B. The conduction balance.The conduction balance.

C.C. The greenhouse effect.The greenhouse effect.

D.D. The radiation balance.The radiation balance.


As the sun heats the surface of the As the sun heats the surface of the ocean, some of the water evaporates ocean, some of the water evaporates and enters the air. How does water and enters the air. How does water vapor move in the atmosphere?vapor move in the atmosphere?

A.A. by wavesby wavesB.B. by cloudsby cloudsC.C. by conductionby conductionD.D. by convectionby convection


Energy transferred as electromagnetic Energy transferred as electromagnetic waves is calledwaves is called

A.A. thermal conduction.thermal conduction.

B.B. convection.convection.

C.C. radiation.radiation.

D.D. convection current.convection current.


The process by which gases in the The process by which gases in the atmosphere absorb thermal energy atmosphere absorb thermal energy and radiate it back to earth is calledand radiate it back to earth is called

A.A. the thermal effect.the thermal effect.

B.B. global warmingglobal warming

C.C. the greenhouse effect.the greenhouse effect.

D.D. radiation balance.radiation balance.

Global Winds Global Winds and and

Local WindsLocal Winds

Terms: wind, Coriolis effect, polar Terms: wind, Coriolis effect, polar easterlies, westerlies, trade winds, jet easterlies, westerlies, trade winds, jet

streamstream

Global Winds and Local WindsGlobal Winds and Local Winds

What causes wind?What causes wind?

Why does sinking air Why does sinking air cause areas of high cause areas of high pressure?pressure?

Would there be winds if Would there be winds if the Earth’s surface the Earth’s surface were the same were the same temperature temperature everywhere? Explain everywhere? Explain your answer.your answer.

Why Air MovesWhy Air Moves

Wind is caused by differences in air pressure.Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. The greater the pressure difference, the The greater the pressure difference, the

faster the wind moves.faster the wind moves. Air rises at the equator and Sinks at the polesAir rises at the equator and Sinks at the poles Pressure belts are found every 30Pressure belts are found every 30°° The Coriolis effect is the apparent curving of The Coriolis effect is the apparent curving of

the path of a moving object from an the path of a moving object from an otherwise straight path due to the Earth’s otherwise straight path due to the Earth’s rotation.rotation.

Global WindsGlobal Winds

Polar Easterlies: extend from the poles to Polar Easterlies: extend from the poles to 6060° latitude in both hemisphere; moves ° latitude in both hemisphere; moves from the poles carrying cold, sinking arctic from the poles carrying cold, sinking arctic air; can carry moist air, producing snow and air; can carry moist air, producing snow and freezing weather.freezing weather.

Westerlies: found between 30Westerlies: found between 30° and 60° ° and 60° latitudes; flow towards the poles west to latitudes; flow towards the poles west to east; can carry moist air producing rain and east; can carry moist air producing rain and snow.snow.

Trade Winds: extends from 30Trade Winds: extends from 30° to the ° to the equator; Early traders used trade winds to equator; Early traders used trade winds to travel from Europe to America;travel from Europe to America;

Global WindsGlobal Winds

The Doldrums: where the trade winds from The Doldrums: where the trade winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet in an area around the equator; very meet in an area around the equator; very little windlittle wind

The Horse Latitudes: At 30The Horse Latitudes: At 30° North and ° North and South; weak winds;sinking air is very dry; South; weak winds;sinking air is very dry; name due to horses thrown overboard to name due to horses thrown overboard to save drinking water.save drinking water.

Jet Streams: a narrow belt of strong winds Jet Streams: a narrow belt of strong winds that blow in the upper troposphere; pilots that blow in the upper troposphere; pilots use the jet stream to take advantage of the use the jet stream to take advantage of the wind moving west to east.wind moving west to east.

Local WindsLocal Winds

Local winds are produced by local Local winds are produced by local geographic features.geographic features.

Local winds move short distances Local winds move short distances and can blow from any direction.and can blow from any direction.

Local winds include sea and land Local winds include sea and land breezes and mountain and valley breezes and mountain and valley breezesbreezes

Sea and Land breezesSea and Land breezes

During the day, air over the ocean is cooler During the day, air over the ocean is cooler and forms an area of high pressure. The and forms an area of high pressure. The cool air flows to the land, producing a land cool air flows to the land, producing a land breeze.breeze.

Air over the land is warmer. As warm air Air over the land is warmer. As warm air rises, it creates an area of low pressure.rises, it creates an area of low pressure.

At night, air over the ocean is warmer. As At night, air over the ocean is warmer. As the warm air rises, it forms an area of low the warm air rises, it forms an area of low pressure.pressure.

Air over land is cooler and forms an area of Air over land is cooler and forms an area of high pressure. The cool air moves toward high pressure. The cool air moves toward the ocean, producing a land breeze.the ocean, producing a land breeze.

SummarySummary

Winds blow from areas of high pressure to Winds blow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.areas of low pressure.

Pressure belts are found approximately Pressure belts are found approximately every 30every 30° of latitude.° of latitude.

The Coriolis effect causes wind to appear The Coriolis effect causes wind to appear to curve as it moves across the Earth’s to curve as it moves across the Earth’s surface.surface.

Global winds include the polar easterlies, Global winds include the polar easterlies, the westerlies, and the trade winds.the westerlies, and the trade winds.

Local winds include sea and land breezes Local winds include sea and land breezes and mountain and valley breezes.and mountain and valley breezes.


Why does warm air rise and cold air Why does warm air rise and cold air sink?sink?

A.A. because warm air is less dense than because warm air is less dense than cold aircold air

B.B. because warm air is more dense because warm air is more dense than cold airthan cold air

C.C. because cold air is less dense than because cold air is less dense than warm airwarm air

D.D. because warm air more pressure because warm air more pressure than coldthan cold air air


In which wind belt is most of the In which wind belt is most of the United States located?United States located?

A.A. westerlieswesterlies

B.B. northeast trade windsnortheast trade winds

C.C. southeast trade windssoutheast trade winds

D.D. doldrumsdoldrums


What causes wind?What causes wind?

A.A. differences in air pressuredifferences in air pressure

B.B. differences in gravitydifferences in gravity

C.C. differences in oxygendifferences in oxygen

D.D. differences in the thermospheredifferences in the thermosphere


What causes differences in air pressure What causes differences in air pressure around the Earth?around the Earth?

A. Warm air rises at the equator, and cold A. Warm air rises at the equator, and cold air sinks at the polesair sinks at the poles

B. Warm air sinks at the equator, and cold B. Warm air sinks at the equator, and cold air rises at the polesair rises at the poles

C. Warm air rises at the equator, and cold C. Warm air rises at the equator, and cold air rises at the poles.air rises at the poles.

D. Cold air rises at the equator, and warm D. Cold air rises at the equator, and warm air sinks at the poles.air sinks at the poles.


Air moves in large, circular patterns Air moves in large, circular patterns calledcalled

A.A. pressure belts.pressure belts.

B.B. convection currents.convection currents.

C.C. convection cells.convection cells.

D.D. trade winds.trade winds.


Narrow belts of winds that can reach Narrow belts of winds that can reach 400 km/h are called400 km/h are called

A, jet currents.A, jet currents.

b. jet streams.b. jet streams.

C. convection currents.C. convection currents.

D. convection streams.D. convection streams.

Air PollutionAir PollutionTerms: air pollution, acid precipitationTerms: air pollution, acid precipitation

Primary PollutantsPrimary Pollutants

Primary pollutantsPrimary pollutants are pollutants that are pollutants that are put directly into the air by are put directly into the air by humans or natural activity.humans or natural activity.

Natural sources: dust, sea salt, Natural sources: dust, sea salt, volcanic gases and ash, smole from volcanic gases and ash, smole from forest fires, pollen.forest fires, pollen.

Human sources: carbon monoxide, Human sources: carbon monoxide, dust, smoke, chemicals from paint .dust, smoke, chemicals from paint .

Secondary PollutantsSecondary Pollutants

Pollutants that form when primary Pollutants that form when primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants react with other primary pollutantspollutants OzoneOzone SmogSmog

Sources of Human Caused Air Sources of Human Caused Air PollutionPollution

A major source of air pollution is from A major source of air pollution is from transportationtransportation Industrial Air Pollution – Industrial Air Pollution – fossil fuels, oil fossil fuels, oil

refineries, chemical manufacturing plants, dry-refineries, chemical manufacturing plants, dry-cleaning busineses, furniture refinishers, auto cleaning busineses, furniture refinishers, auto body shopsbody shops

Indoor Air Pollution - Indoor Air Pollution - Nitrogen oxides, Fungi Nitrogen oxides, Fungi and bacteria, Carbon monoxide, Solvents, and bacteria, Carbon monoxide, Solvents, Gasoline, Chlorine and ammonia, chemicalsGasoline, Chlorine and ammonia, chemicals

Acid PrecipitationAcid Precipitation

Precipitation such as rain, sleet, Precipitation such as rain, sleet, snow, hail, that contains acids from snow, hail, that contains acids from air pollutionair pollution Effects of Acid precipitation on plantsEffects of Acid precipitation on plants Effects of Acid precipitation on forestsEffects of Acid precipitation on forests Acid precipitation and Aquatic Acid precipitation and Aquatic

ecosystemsecosystems

The Ozone HoleThe Ozone Hole

The ozone layer is thinningThe ozone layer is thinning Caused by chemicals called CFCsCaused by chemicals called CFCs Not able to block the sun’s harmful UV Not able to block the sun’s harmful UV

raysrays Damages genesDamages genes Can cause skin cancerCan cause skin cancer Cooperation to reduce the ozone holeCooperation to reduce the ozone hole CFCs can remain active 60 -120 yearsCFCs can remain active 60 -120 years Will take many years for the ozone layer to Will take many years for the ozone layer to

completely recovercompletely recover

Air Pollution and Human HealthAir Pollution and Human Health

Daily exposure to small amounts of air Daily exposure to small amounts of air pollution can cause serious health problems:pollution can cause serious health problems: Children, elderly peopleChildren, elderly people People with asth maPeople with asth ma allergies.allergies. Lung problemsLung problems Heart problemsHeart problems CoughingCoughing HeadachesHeadaches Lung cancerLung cancer

Cleaning Up Air PollutionCleaning Up Air Pollution

Much progress has been made with Much progress has been made with cleaning up air pollutioncleaning up air pollution

Clean Air Act 1970Clean Air Act 1970 EPA – Environmental Protection AgencyEPA – Environmental Protection Agency Controlling Air Pollution from IndustryControlling Air Pollution from Industry Allowance trading System- established Allowance trading System- established

amount of pollutants that companies can amount of pollutants that companies can releaserelease

Reducing Aair Pollution from VehiclesReducing Aair Pollution from Vehicles Hybrids, carpooling, public transportation, bikes, Hybrids, carpooling, public transportation, bikes,

walkingwalking

Quick CheckQuick Check

1. What are some sources of indoor pollution?1. What are some sources of indoor pollution?

2. What is the ozone hole, and why does it form?2. What is the ozone hole, and why does it form?

3. What are some effects of air pollution on human 3. What are some effects of air pollution on human health?health?

4. What are some major sources of outside air 4. What are some major sources of outside air pollution?pollution?

5. What are some ways to reduce air pollution?5. What are some ways to reduce air pollution?

The Atmosphere

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coldest layer

middle layer

uppermost layer

coldest atmospheric

atmospheric layer mean

lowest atmospheric layer

atmospherethe atmosphere

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