Atmosphere

Magnetosphere

Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Lithosphere
The topics that will be studied under this title include:
the definition of the atmosphere, atmosphere gases and
their sources, atmosphere heat, air movement in the
atmosphere, water vapor in the atmphere, atmospheric
zones, and the importance of the atmosphere for Earth
populations.
Definition of the atmosphere
- It is a thin invisible cover of air; component of a mixture
of gases and water vapor in addition to suspended
particulate materials and it is surrounding the Earth
from all direction.
Gases of the Atmosphere

- The atmosphere is consist of several gases extends to

more than 1000 km above the surface of the Earth. This
mixture of gases is homogeneous to a height of 20 km
and then it is separated into classes according to their
molecular weights; sea level or the surface of the land is
the lower limit for the air and there is no upper limit
clear to it.
 Atmosphere Gases

The most gases prevalent in the atmosphere is nitrogen

gas, and it forms 78% of the total gases and it is not
active gas, then oxygen gas constitutes 21%, while the
other gases constitutes a very small percentage (1%) and
it includes gases of: argon - Ar and covers 94%, carbon
dioxide (CO2) covers of 3%, and then the rest of the
other gases constitutes (the helium - He, krypton - Kr,
xenon - Xe, nitrogen oxide – NO, methane – CH4, ozone
–O3, Nitrous oxide N2o ).
In general, the density of the air is high near
the surface of the ground and it decreases
away from the ground surface. This is because
the lower column of the air compressed under
the weight of above air column.
The air pressure is also high near the surface of
the Earth and it gradually decreases away from
the surface of the Earth.
Because the weight of hydrogen and helium is small, the
two gases are rise to the upper atmosphere (after 96km
from the surface of the ground) and at about 2400km air
becomes consists of small molecules of hydrogen).
The quality of the air surrounding the Earth is different from that
which surrounds planets of the solar system.

Is their any change happened for the percentages of the gas in the
atmosphere during the geological times?? Why?
Scientists believe that there is evolution happened for the gases
over geologic time until it reached its present situation and this is
due to various factors including:
1- the loss of many gases of less density; 2- the gases resulting of
biological processes; 3- gases rising from the volcanic activity; 4-
gases such as argon and helium resulting from continuing
fragmentation of radioactive isotopes.
Unnatural sources from the different activities of human on the
Earth (Factories, Various means of transportation, fires.........etc.
Sources of Gases
The sources of gases in the atmosphere is different:
a- Natural sources:
- Some of which are human and animal have large role in
their presence and in increasing their proportions, through
the process of breathing where they breath oxygen and
bring out carbon dioxide. (the plants at night works such as
human).
- Some gases are mainly producing by the plants such as
oxygen by the photosynthesis, in which plants converts the
carbon dioxide to oxygen.
- Others are from radioactive metals in the earth's crust
such as argon, radon, and hydrogen gases produced from
the atomic disintegration of radioactive potassium in many
of constituent minerals of the crust and from radioactive
minerals such as: thorium, lithium and rubidium.
- Hot water springs rising hot minerals gases to the
atmosphere such as: sulfur gases, chlorine gases, gas rich in
lithium, lead, zinc, copper, ....etc.
- Some gases from volcanoes such as carbon monoxide,
chlorine, sulfur oxides produced by industries.
- Some gases are from space formed as a result of the
explosion of stars such as hydrogen, helium, carbon
monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

b- Unnatural sources:
- Unnatural sources from the different activities of human
on the Earth such as: factories (Carbon monoxide, chlorine,
sulfur oxides), various means of transportation, nuclear
explosions, exploration for ores and minerals, fires.........etc.
The atmosphere gets the temperature mainly from the sun
with small amount from inside the Earth such as: gases and
vapors which rising from volcanoes, radioactive metals and
spring hot water, in addition to different activities of human
such as: factories, Various means of transportation, nuclear
explosions, exploration for ores and minerals, fires.........etc.
The air temperature reaches the minimum degree (- 60C0)
on 80km high.

The movement of the air

The energy from the sun in addition to the Earth shape
(elliptical) are the driving forces of the air. Because the
shape of the Earth is elliptical, the sun rays is concentrated
around the equator and it is less at the poles and therefore
the wind take particular system paths on the Earth.
Importance of wind movement in the Atmosphere:

Wind movement is very important because 1). it works

to save the composition of the wind in the atmosphere
homogeneous, 2) cooling the air, 3). distributing plants
pollen, 4). transporting clouds and distributing rains,
5). helping birds to flight.
- The rate of water vapor in the atmosphere is mainly
depend on the temperature and the amount of surface
water on the Earth. The areas of high temperatures and
surface water distinguished by high humidity, whereas
areas of low-temperature and few of water bodies
distinguished by low humidity.
The importance of water vapor in the Earth is source of
rainfall and for absorbed many of solar radiation by
water and for cools the air.
 What is the atmosphere zones ?
The scientists divided the atmosphere into five zones “each
one extends until a certain distance” according to changes in
temperature and the different characteristics of each zone,
these zones are: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere,
Ionosphere, Exosphere.
1- Troposphere
This zone is touch the surface of the Earth and extends from
the surface of the sea to slightly more than of 10km. Most of
the atmosphere components are present within this zone in
addition to the clouds, wind, storms and rain and also most
of the climate changes occur within this zone.
The light gases such as methane and argon evade from the
atmosphere to outer space.
2- Stratosphere :

- This zone present directly above Troposphere and

extending from 10-50km high, and the clouds disappear in
this zone. Scientists believe that storms arise within this
zone. The ozone gases occupied this zone (the ozone is type
of oxygen and consists of three oxygen atoms). The
importance of the ozone layer is: protection the lives of all
organisms that live on Earth because it is reflect the harmful
UV rays.

How Ozone is formed in the atmosphere?

Ozone is formed as a result of the impact of the oxygen gas
by Ultraviolet Waves (UV). The UV reaches the ground with
the rays that coming from the sun rays.
3- Mesosphere

This zone extends up to 80km, and the temperature

drops in the upper part of this zone to more than -90 C0,
it is the coldest layer in the atmosphere, and the
atmospheric pressure gradually decreases until it
becomes 1 / 10.000 of the pressure of the atmosphere
above the surface of the sea, and most of the meteors
burn in the atmosphere in this layer. Why?
4- Ionosphere (Thermosphere):

This zone consists of a group of gases in case of ionic, and

extends from about 80km - 500km. The temperature of this
zone is high reaches up to 2000oC and accordingly, all the
components of this zone became ionized and the percentage
of ionic increases (gas molecules become electrically
charged) and this is why this zone is called ionosphere.
There is several layers of ionized gases (4 layers) according
to the electron density present, which is always equal to the
ion density (scientists benefited from this charecteristic by inventing many
communication devices). These layers are very important to reflect
radio waves. There is oxygen, hilum, hydrogen gases in
addition to short rays come from the sun.
Electromagnetic wave
is wave that consists of: Radio waves, Micro waves, Infrared
Radiation, Visible light, Ultra violet, X – ray and Gama -
rays.

Radio waves
is an electromagnetic wave of a frequency between
about 104 and 1011 or 1012 HZ, as used for alternating
electric currents, electromagnetic waves (light, radar,
etc.)
HZ (Hertz) is unit of frequency, equal one cycle per
second.
5- Exosphere:

This zone extends to vast distances in outer space. In

this zone the amount of air becomes very small (has
gases like hydrogen and helium, but they are very
spread out and it is very cold). and totally it is devoid
from any components. This zone is very suitable for the
satellites and spacecraft.

To add one degree to your account as bonus

answer this question.
The variation of temperature in the atmosphere zones
is very clear; explain the reasons for this??
1 - Source for oxygen which is essential for the life of all
organisms on the Earth. Oxygen also do on oxidization for
some components of the earth's crust and formation new
materials.

2- Source for carbon dioxide which is very important in the

processes of photosynthesis in plants. Carbon dioxide also
important in geological processes, known as chemical
weathering. Carbon dioxide dissolves by rain water and
formed carbonic acid that dissolves the limestone.
(Formed different caves and karst fetchers).

- Carbon dioxide is important in geological

processes; give example for this ??
3 – Source for water, which plays an important role in
the life of plants and animals. Water very important
factor for absorption heat and radiation in the
atmosphere in addition to weathering and erosion
process of rocks and sediments on the surface of the
Earth.
4-The atmosphere reflects about 34% of the total
radiant energy falling on earth from the sun to outer
space. Water vapor and clouds absorbed 19% of sun
energy accordingly, only 47% of sun energy reaches to
the surface of the Earth. The atmosphere plays an
essential role in protecting the Earth from cosmic
radiation which is dangerous to human life, animals
and plants on the surface of the earth.
5- Play an important role in distribution and
precipitation of clouds.

6- Play important role in erosion process of rocks and in

sedimentation.

8- Source of feeding ground aquifer by rainwater which

is very important for plants and animals on the Earth.

9-The movement of wind as well as water vapor are

working to save the installation of air homogeneous.
 After completing the study of the Atmosphere
section, answer these following questions.

Q1. What is a definition for the following words?

Atmosphere, Radio waves, and Ozone.
Q2. What is the difference between:
- Ionosphere scope and Mesosphere scope.
- Troposphere and Exosphere
- The centrifuge property and gravity force.
Q3. Write what you know about:
- Centrifugal force. - Magnetic property of the Earth.
- Ionosphere (thermosphere). Van Belt.
Q4. There are many sources of heat of the atmosphere, mention
these sources.
Q5. Mention four points about the importance of the atmosphere
for the Earth and living organisms.
Q6. What are the factors that cause the movement of air in
the atmosphere?
Q7. Mention five of natural gases in the atmosphere and
their sources.
Q8. Mention the factors that cause the movement of air in
the atmosphere, then explain how this movement occurs.
Q9. How Ozone is formed in the atmosphere?
Q10. Explained in scientific way the reason for:
a - All the planets of the solar system are remained in their
orbits and do not deviate from them?
b - The oval shape (semi-spherical) for the Earth.
c - The magnetism property of the Earth.
Q11. The natural sources of atmosphere heat are:
1- 2- 3- 4-
Q12. The Earth distinguished by three important
characteristics, namely:
1- 2- 3-
Q13. There is many sources of the gases in the atmosphere
such as:
1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6-
Q14. The sources of the atmosphere heat is different, for
example:
1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6-
Q15. The importance of the atmosphere is:
1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6-
Q16. Correct the following sentences: (give a complete
answer)
- The atmosphere is consist of several gases extends to more
than 10000Km above the surface of the Earth. These gases is
homogeneous to a height of 200km, and then it is separated
into classes according to their molecular weights.
- Most of the atmosphere components are present within the
Exosphere zone.
- The ozone gas is present in the Mesosphere zone.
- The most prevalent gas in the atmosphere is oxygen gas, it
constitutes 78% of the total gases.
- There is no change happened to the proportions of the
various gases in the atmosphere during the different
geological times.
- There is no significant importance for the ozone gas in the
atmosphere.
- Ozone gas is made up of six oxygen atoms linked together.

Q18. Complete the following blanks with suitable words:

- In general, the .................... and ................... are high near
the surface of the Earth and decrease away from the Earth
surface.
- Because the light weight of ..................and................gases,
they usually found in the upper part of the atmosphere.
- The density of air near the surface of the Earth
is....................as well as the.................... is high near the
surface of the earth.
- The most gases prevalent in the atmosphere is…………… and
it forms ……………..of the total gases, and the secound gas is
............... and forms about…………...... while the other gases
constitute only ………………
- The energy released from the ............… is the power for
movement the ........................ as well as the shape of
the.......................The sun’s rays are concentrated around
..........................and decreases at …………… of the Earth and
therefore winds take a
certain paths around the Earth.
 Remember well:
your understanding and comprehension of the lessons,
means you are eagerness to get the high rate......... only,
you the one who decides.

Best wishes to all