5.5 (AIR PRESSURE) WEATHER

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1 1. Construct the layers of the atmosphere based on the data you re given below. Scientists know that there are four different layers. Use the information in the data chart below to draw how you think the layers are structured. Layer of the Atmosphere Boundary Distance from Earth Width of Layer Average Temperature of Layer Troposphere 17 km 17 km 57 F Mesosphere 85 km 34 km -85 F Stratosphere 51 km 34 km -76 F Thermosphere 690 km 605 km 450 F Based on the data in the information table above, with your partner, diagram the layers of the atmosphere. 1) Place the layers in the correct order 2) Draw the layers with the right width (relative to the other layers). 3) Label each layer. Earth 2

2 Mini-Lesson: The envelope of gas surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. There are four main layers of the atmosphere, each of which varies in temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration (humidity). The first layer of the atmosphere, the TROPOSPHERE, is closest to Earth. This is where weather occurs. The second layer of the atmosphere, the STRATOSPHERE, is above the troposphere. The troposphere and stratosphere are separated by what is called the Tropopause. The stratosphere is where the Ozone Layer is located. The third layer of the atmosphere, the MESOSPHERE, is separated from the stratosphere below it by the Stratopause. Shooting stars burn up in the mesosphere. The fourth layer of the atmosphere, the THERMOSPHERE, is separated from the mesosphere below it by the Mesopause. The atmospheric layers are shown in your Earth Science Reference Tables. The graph indicates altitude (elevation) on the y-axis and then shows temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration along the x-axis. X` 3

3 Step 1: Find Stratosphere Example 1: What is the altitude of the stratosphere? Step 2: Find the dotted line marking the Tropopause this is the bottom of the Stratosphere Step 3: Find the dotted line marking the Stratopause this is the top of the Stratosphere Step 4: Follow the dotted lines over to the y-axis. The stratosphere occupies the shaded area at right. Answer: The stratosphere begins at about and ends at about Example 2: What is the temperature range of the mesosphere? Step 1: Find Mesosphere Step 2: Find the dotted line marking the Stratopause this is the bottom of the Mesosphere Step 3: Find the dotted line marking the Mesopause this is the top of the Mesosphere Step 4: Use the temperature graph to determine the lowest and highest temperatures on the x-axis Answer: The mesosphere ranges between and 4

4 Example 3: What is the pressure range of the troposphere? Step 1: Find Troposphere Step 2: Find the dotted line marking the Tropopause this is the top of the Troposphere Step 3: Find the solid line marking sea level this is the bottom of the Troposphere Step 4: Use the pressure graph to determine the lowest and highest pressures on the x-axis Answer: The troposphere ranges between and Example 4: Which temperature zone of Earth's atmosphere contains the most water vapor? 1. mesosphere 3. thermosphere 2. stratosphere 4. troposphere Example 5: What is the relationship between altitude and the following variables: Altitude and Temperature: Altitude and Pressure: Altitude and Water Vapor (Humidity): 5

5 Independent Practice: 1. Ozone is concentrated in Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 20 to 35 kilometers. Which atmospheric layer contains the greatest concentration of ozone? 1. mesosphere 3. troposphere 2. thermosphere 4. stratosphere 2. An air temperature of 95 C most often exists in which layer of the atmosphere? 1. troposphere 3. mesosphere 2. stratosphere 4. thermosphere 3. In which layer of Earth's atmosphere is the pressure inferred to be 1.0 atmospheres? 1. troposphere 3. mesosphere 2. stratosphere 4. thermosphere 4. If the base of a cloud is located at an altitude of 2 kilometers and the top of the cloud is located at an altitude of 8 kilometers, this cloud is located in the 1. troposphere, only 3. troposphere and stratosphere 2. stratosphere, only 4. stratosphere and mesosphere 5. What is the temperature range in the Troposphere: C to C 6. In the Troposphere, does the temperature increase or decrease with altitude? Answer: 7

6 7. At what altitude, in miles, does the Thermosphere begin? mi 8. One of the lowest layers of Earth's atmosphere has undergone a large increase in temperature due to the presence of greenhouse gases. State the name of this temperature-zone layer. Answer: 9. A spaceship takes off in Houston, Texas headed for the planet Mars. List the four layers of Earth s atmosphere through which it will move, in order beginning with the closest layer. Answer: 10. In which two atmospheric layers is the temperature generally increasing? and 11. What temperature, pressure, and water vapor concentration would you expect to see in the Stratopause? C, atm, g/m Based on what the graph tells you about water vapor concentration, why do you think weather occurs only in the Troposphere? 8