Do Now
1. What is the atmosphere?
[Link] are the main gases that compose the
atmosphere?
What is the Atmosphere?
All of the gases that surround Earth
Mixture of mostly nitrogen and oxygen
Other gases that are present in trace
amounts (small amounts) include argon,
carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor
Composition of the Atmosphere
1% • Nitrogen 78%
21% • Oxygen 21%
• Other 1%
Nitrogen o Argon,
Oxygen
Other o Carbon
Dioxide
o Methane
78%
o Water Vapor
The Composition of Gases in the
Atmosphere is constantly changing!
Think of any examples of gases being added or
removed in the atmosphere
What Else is in the Atmosphere?
In addition to gases, the atmosphere also contains
some particulates. We call these particles
atmospheric dust.
What are some materials that might be part of
atmospheric dust?
What Else is in the Atmosphere?
• Volcanic ash
• Aerosols
• Bacteria
• Soil particles
• Pollen
• Fire ash
• Combustion
ash
Gravity
The force that pulls everything to the earth!
•Gravity causes the Earths atmosphere to be
MORE dense near the Earth’s surface!
So at higher elevations, the air becomes LESS
dense!
Think…
Denver, CO is a mile high city. If you
were to ski in the Denver area, you
might have a hard time breathing. Why?
Write down your ideas
Denver, CO is a mile high city. If you were
to ski in the Denver area, you might have
a hard time breathing because…
1. You’re exercising and need more
oxygen
2. However, the air is less dense which
means it has less oxygen!
Think…
Why do planes fly at higher altitudes
where the air is less dense?
Write down your
Planes fly at higher altitudes where the
air is less dense because…
At lower densities, there is less drag and
therefore higher fuel effeciency.
Gravity
How does gravity affect the layering of
the atmosphere?
Denser materials are closer to the earth.
Denser layers of the atmosphere will be closer
to the earth.
Layers of the atmosphere?
Troposphere
• Nearest to Earth’s
surface
• About 18 km high
• Densest layer
• Within this layer
temperature
decreases as altitude
increases
Stratosphere
• Above Troposphere
• 18 km to 50 km
• Contains ozone layer
• Ozone* molecules absorb
UV energy from the sun
and heat up this layer
• Therefore, temperature
Increases as altitude
increases
*Ozone O3 reduce UV radiation that reaches the Earth
Mesosphere
• Above the
Stratosphere
• 50 km to 80 km high
• Coldest layer
• Temperature
decreases as altitude
increases
Thermosphere
• Farthest from Earths surface
• 80km-550 km
• N2 and O2 absorb solar
radiation
• Temperatures of 2000 C
• Molecules in this layer absorb
harmful x-rays and gamma
rays from the sun, causing
atoms to become electrically
charged ions
• Also called the ionization layer
• Aurora borealis- Solar lights
AURORA BOREALIS
Directions
1. Individual work on the atmosphere worksheets.
2. Match the terms from Column B with Column
A.
3. Use the key to label the ozone layer, and each
layer of the atmosphere.
- You can go on a lab table or work at your desk.
Interpret this Graph
What happens as to
the temperature as
you rise through the…
-Troposphere?
-Stratosphere?
-Mesosphere?
-Thermosphere?
What layer includes the Ozone
layer?
The Stratosphere
Ozone* is a molecule
made of three oxygen
atoms it can be found
near the ground where its
bad, or up in atmosphere
where its good…hence,
good up high, bad nearby
*Ozone O3 reduce UV radiation that reaches the Earth
What does the ozone layer do?
What does the ozone layer do?
• The ozone layer
absorbs UV radiation
from the Sun.
• UV radiation is part of
the electromagnetic
spectrum.
• Exposure to UV
radiation can lead to
skin cancer
So…Why is a hole in the ozone
layer or ozone depletion bad???
So…Why is a hole in the ozone
layer or ozone depletion bad???
Too much UV
radiation might
cause skin cancers
Energy in the Atmosphere
Primary source of energy is THE SUN!
• Solar energy reaches the Earth
as electromagnetic radiation.
Only a small amount reaches
the Earths surface.
• The rest is either reflected or
absorbed.
What do these terms mean?
What numbers represent
reflection? Absorption?
Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere
There are three important mechanisms that transfer heat
into the atmosphere:
•Radiation- Transfer of energy across space and in the
atmosphere (ex. heat felt standing in front of a fire)
•Conduction- flow of heat from a warmer object to a colder
one when in direct physical contact
•Convection- transfer of heat by air currents. Hot air rises,
cold air sinks. (ex. heat felt if you hold your hand above a
stove)
The Movement of Air Around
the Earth
• Weather
• Most weather occurs in the Troposphere, where
temperatures decrease as altitude increases.
• So, less dense air warmed by the Earth’s surface rises,
then as the currents rise, they cool, become dense, and
sink.
• A continual process of warm air rising and cool air
sinking in a circular motion- Convection Currents!
Convection Currents in the
Atmosphere
Think…
Where else were
convection currents?
Weather vs. Climate
Climate
Average weather
of some
place over a
long period of
time
The Greenhouse Effect
Process in which gases trap heat neat the Earth and
without which the Earth would be too cold for life to exist
Global Climate Regulation
Air currents move energy around and regulate
global climate
Let’s Wrap Up the Atmosphere!
• Atmosphere video clip