Weather “The Atmosphere” Section 1: “Characteristics of the Atmosphere”

Weather“The Atmosphere”

Section 1:“Characteristics ofthe Atmosphere”

Composition of the AtmosphereAtmosphere -layer of gases that

surrounds a planet or moon.

• Composed of:

•78% Nitrogen• Dead plants & Animals • Volcanoes

• 21% Oxygen • Trees & Plants

• 1% Other Gases • (Argon, CO2, water vapor

& other gases)

•Air pressure-Gravity pulls gas molecules in the atmosphere toward the Earth’s surface.

•Air pressure is how much the air above you weighs.

•It measures how hard air molecules are pushed on a surface.

Composition of the Atmosphere

•As altitude increases, air pressure and barometric reading decreases.

•The higher you go, the lower the air pressure gets.

Air Pressure

HighPressur

e

LowPressu

re

Barometer – instrument that measures air pressure

Air Pressure

Air Pressure Facts• Centers of storms low air pressure• Around storms higher air pressure

• High air pressure = good weather• Low air pressure = bad weatherKeeping track of changing air pressure important for: forecasting the weather.

•As altitude increases, air temperature decreases.

•Lower parts of the atmosphere are warmer because they contain a high percentage of gases that absorb solar energy.

Air Temperature

Layers of the Atmosphere

There are 4 main layers of the Atmosphere: 4) Thermosphere

•Ionosphere

3) Mesosphere

2) Stratosphere•Ozone Layer

1)Troposphere

Thermosphere

Air Temp. & Pressure Changes

Important Features

•Temperature increases

•Pressure decreases

• Uppermost layer of atmosphere

•Temperature is high because nitrogen & oxygen absorb energy from the sun

•Lowermost part contains Ionosphere

Ionosphere

• Between the Thermosphere & Mesosphere

• Auroras occur here which are curtains & ribbons of shimmering colored lights

• They form when charged particles from the sun collide with ions

Mesosphere

Air Temp. & Pressure Changes

Important Features

•Temperature decreases

•Pressure decreases

•The coldest layer

•Protects earth from meteorites

•Auroras occur in the Ionosphere.

StratosphereAir Temp. & Pressure Changes

Important Features

•Temperature increases

• Pressure decreases

• Gases are layered & do not mix

•Temp. increases because of the presence of ozone gas.

• Ozone layer- is important for life on Earth because it absorbs energy from the sun including harmful ultraviolet energy.

•Jet stream – moves weather

TroposphereAir Temp. & Pressure Changes

Important Features

•Temperature decreases

• Pressure decreases

• Layer of the atmosphere we live in

• Contains 90% of the gases

•Weather conditions take place here •Ex. rain & wind

•The densest layer that contains- Water vapor, Carbon dioxide, Pollution, Living things

Recap!!! What is the atmosphere composed

of?Gases (78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% Other)

Describe what air pressure is? Air pressure is how much the air above you weighs. It is the gas molecules gravity pulls

from the atmosphere towards Earth.

What is the difference between air pressure in the atmosphere and near

Earth?The closer to Earth, the higher the air pressure. In the atmosphere, air pressure is lower.

Recap!!! What are the four main layers of the

atmosphere?Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere,

Thermosphere

Where is the Ozone layer found?Stratosphere

Which two layers contain the Ionosphere?Mesosphere and Thermosphere

Which layer do we live in?Troposphere

Types of Energy

Transfer

Types of Energy TransferRadiation

Definition Examples•The transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves.

Open flames from a fire radiating heat to toast a marshmallow.

Types of Energy Transfer

Definition Examples

Energy is transferred by contact.

When a warm object touches a cold object, heat moves from the warm object to the cold one.

Burning your hand by touching a steaming hot pot.

Conduction

Types of Energy Transfer

Definition Examples

Energy is transferred by the circulation or movement of gas or liquid.

Water (liquid) boiling in a pot

Convection

Experiment

What do you think is going to happen when hot water and

cold water are mixed together?

Atmospheric Heating

•Convection Current – the circular movement of warm and cold air

Why does warm air rises & cold air sink? •Warm air is less dense, so it rises. •Cold air is more dense, so it sinks.

BOX #1

BOX #2

BOX #3

BOX #4

1) Gases in the atmosphere absorb heat energy coming from Earth

2) They then radiate it back to Earth’s surface

The most common greenhouse gases are:• Water vapor• Carbon Dioxide• Methane• Nitrous oxide• Ozone

Greenhouse Effect:

What do you know about global warming?

Four Corners

•I know everything, I’m an expert!

•I know a lot, but want to know more!

•I know a little, just what I’ve heard!

•I know nothing, please feed me knowledge!

• Global Warming – an increase in temperatures all over the world.

• Many scientists believe this is caused by greenhouse gases.

• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere

• Global warming affects weather and climate.

Global Warming

Recap!!!A person is camping outside. The person toasts a marshmallow by holding it above the flames of the fire. How is heat transferred?

Radiation

When you touch the sidewalk on a hot, sunny day. How is heat energy transferred from the sidewalk to you?

Conduction

You decide to surprise your parents and iron your own clothes one day. How is heat energy transferred from the iron to your clothes?

Conduction

Recap!!!You boil a pot of water to make pasta. As the water heats up, its density decreases and it rises. The cooler water then sinks until it begins to heat up…and so on. How is heat transferred?

Convection

You made delicious pancakes for your friends last weekend. How was heat transferred?

Conduction

A bonfire is built on the beach of the Jersey Shore to warm people up at night. How is heat transferred?

Radiation

Recap!!!You have left over Chinese food from the night before and want to heat it up in the microwave? How is heat transferred?

What is the circular movement of warm and cold air? Convection Current

Radiation

Why does warm air rise and cold air sink?

Warm air is less dense and cold air is more dense

Recap!!!What is an increase in temperatures all over the world?

What causes global warming?

Greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere

Global Warming

What two things get affected by global warming?

Weather and Temperature

DO NOW- Tell a friend what these photos have in common.

Wind•Wind – moving air caused by differences in air pressure.

•Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

•The greater the pressuredifference, the faster &stronger the wind blows.

Jet Streams - narrow belts of high-speed winds that blow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere

Wind

They blow from west to east all the way around the Earth

Why do global winds curve?

The Coriolis Effect:

• The deflection, or curving, of moving objects from a straight path because of Earth’s rotation

Global Winds– winds that circle the globe and move in curved directions.

Local Winds

Local winds – winds that generally move over short distances and can blow from any direction.

They are affected by:1)Temperatures 2)Geographic features

Sea and land breezes- local winds affected by temperature

Examples of Local Winds

Mountain and valley breezes- are examples of local winds caused by an area’s geography.

Examples of Local Winds

Recap!!!Differences in cause wind to move?

High, Low

The greater the pressure differences in an area, winds blow faster & stronger or slower & weaker?

Faster & Stronger

Air moves from areas of pressure to areas of pressure?

Air Pressure

Recap!!!

What two layers of the atmosphere does the Jet Stream blow?

West to EastWhich way does the Jet Stream blow?

Upper Troposphere & Lower Stratosphere

What are winds that circle the globe and move in curved directions?

Global Winds

Recap!!!

The deflection, or curving of moving objects from a straight path because of Earth’s rotation. This causes global winds to move in a curved direction.

What are local winds?

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

Describe the Coriolis Effect and the affect that is has on the entire Earth.

Recap!!!

What are the two things that affect local winds?

Mountain and Valley Breezes

What is an example of local wind that is affected by temperature?

Sea and land breezes

What is an example of local wind that affects an area by geography?

Temperature & Geographic Features