Atmosphere Review Atmosphere Unit Review Plan Layers of Atmosphere Composition of Atmosphere Characteristics of Layers and Atmosphere Heat Transfer Global winds Importance of Atmosphere
The order of the atmosphere layers. Unique characteristics of each layer. What do the temperatures do in each layer? Why is the temperature of the stratosphere higher/warmer? What happens to air pressure as you go higher into the atmosphere? What are the various gasses that make up the atmosphere?
The heat transfer in the atmosphere What causes that heat transfer Effects of the uneven heating in our atmosphere What does convection create in our atmosphere What are the global winds
The earth has a variety of climates, defined by average temperature, precipitation, humidity, air pressure, and wind, over time in a particular place. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases, such as nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.04%), trace gases and water vapor. The amount of each gas in the mixture is usually very constant from the surface of the planet up to the top of the troposphere..
These gases are constantly being used and renewed by the processes of respiration, photosynthesis, evaporation and condensation, the weathering of rock, and the decay of organic matter. The atmosphere has different properties at different elevations and different locations around the Earth. Air pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, refers to the weight of the Earth s atmosphere pressing down on everything at the surface.
Air pressure varies slightly over the Earth s surface, and variations in pressure are responsible for the weather Air pressure is measured with a mercury barometer (mm of mercury) or and aneroid barometer (millibars-mb). The atmosphere has constant change but strives to maintain equilibrium. The air pressure is less on the top of mountains (higher elevation) than in valleys.
At the equator the atmosphere is warmer; at the poles it is cooler. The uneven heating of land and water causes a rising and sinking of warm and cool air masses creating convection currents and causes winds. Five layers make up the atmosphere: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Each of these layers has very unique properties.
Weather occurs in the troposphere and is the physical condition of the atmosphere at a specific place at a specific time. Fronts, global wind systems, atmospheric pressure changes and many other factors influence the weather. Major atmospheric activities such as thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes affect humans and can result in huge natural disasters. Air has weight. Air molecules are in constant motion and are affected by gravity.
The force of this movement causes air pressure. Air pressure changes with elevation. As you move up into the atmosphere, the air molecules are further apart. So, air pressure decreases as distance above the surface increases. Air pressure also decreases as the amount of water vapor in the air goes up. Since warm air is less dense than cool air, when temperatures are higher, the air pressure is usually lower.
Heat Transfer and Greenhouse Effect It s getting hot in here!
Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere What impacts our temperature and climate?
Energy Transfer The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves, or energy that can travel through space is called radiation. Visible light Majority of sunlight in the form of a mixture of all the colors you see in the rainbow (ROYGBV). Infrared radiation Form of energy with wavelengths longer than visible light and is not visible but can be felt as HEAT!
In our atmosphere radiation occurs here
Energy Transfer The transfer of energy by touch/contact is called conduction.
In our atmosphere conduction occurs here
Energy Transfer Heat is transferred through a gas or liquid by the hotter material moving into a cooler area convection.
In our atmosphere convection occurs here
Greenhouse Effect
The sad tale of Frosty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dasx suup3zw What happened to Frosty? And WHY??? Details people! Give DETAILS!
We observed these pictures and made our own definition of greenhouse effect.
The Greenhouse Effect works like a Greenhouse!
Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is the natural occurance that keeps Earth WARM! The greenhouse effect helps regulate temperature on Earth.
How does this happen? As visible light (radiation) enters the atmosphere, it is converted to infrared radiation and is trapped by gases in the air. These gases are called Greenhouse Gases!
Thermal energy is transferred through the atmosphere by: 1.Radiation sunlight reaching the Earth s atmosphere. 2.Conduction Transfer of that energy by CONTACTING the actual atmosphere. 3.Convection Transfer of thermal energy by movement of AIR particles within the atmosphere.
Ozone Layer The Ozone Layer is one layer of the stratosphere, the second layer of the Earth s atmosphere. The Ozone Layer is the mass of protective gases clinging to our planet. Remember that as elevation in creases, the temperature in creases in the Stratosphere. Why do you think the Stratosphere layer gets warmer?
How much solar radiation reaches Earth? The Earth s surface only absorbs 51% of incoming solar radiation
Greenhouse Effect The Process by which atmosphere gases absorb heat energy from the sun and prevent heat from leaving our atmosphere. In other words, greenhouse gases trap heat energy and keep it close to earth. 3 Main Greenhouse Gases: CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 ), Methane, and WATER VAPOR
What causes an Increase in Greenhouse gases? 1. Burning fossil fuels is added to the atmosphere when people burn coal, oil (gasoline), and natural gas FOSSIL FUELS, for transportation, factories, and electricity.
What else causes an increase in Greenhouse gases? 2. Deforestation, or the clearing of forests, also increases the amount of CARBON DIOXIDE in the air because in photosynthesis plants take in carbon dioxide and remove it from the atmosphere, they make oxygen.
What else causes an increase in Greenhouse gases? 3. Volcanoes, fires, and respiration (breathing) also add CO 2 to the atmosphere. Carbon Cycle
4. Methane is produced when garbage is buried in landfills, from animal waste (poop), and from other natural sources.
5. Increasing global temperatures increase, evaporation increases which adds water vapor.
Greenhouse Effect Vs. Global Warming Greenhouse Effect is the natural process where retention of the heat by the greenhouses gases on the surface of the Earth, allowing the planet s temperature to rise. Global Warming is when the average temperature of the Earth s atmosphere and the oceans rise.
Is the Greenhouse Effect Good or Bad? It is necessary for life (good)- it keeps our climate toasty warm and prevents it from fluctuating (changing) too much. It is bad when: there are too many greenhouse gases and the climate gets warmer (GLOBAL WARMING)
Is Global Warming Happening? How much have global temperatures changed between 1980 and 2000? How much are global temperatures expected to change between 2000 and 2100?
Is Sea Level Rising? How much has sea level gone up since 1990?
Is Global Warming Melting Ice Caps? What percent of the polar ice caps have melted since 1979?
Global Winds and Air Movement
Air Movement Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in air temperature and pressure. The greater the difference, the faster the wind moves
Hot vs. Cold Hot air Cold air
Coriolis Effect Circulation of the Atmosphere Solar Radiation - initial source of energy to the Earth. Radiation can be absorbed, reflected and reradiated. The redistribution of this energy controls the structure and dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans.
The air in the atmosphere moves in response to uneven solar heating and Earth s rotation. Solar energy is absorbed into Earth s surface. This absorbed energy is converted into heat or infrared radiation.
The Solar Heating of Earth Varies with Latitude At high latitudes solar radiation travels a longer path through the atmosphere and is less direct. What factors govern the global circulation of air? Uneven solar heating The Coriolis effect
Re-distribution of heat Heat is gained at Equatorial latitudes and heat is lost at higher latitudes Winds and ocean currents redistribute heat around the Earth Warm equatorial water flows to higher latitudes Cool Polar water flow to lower latitude
Earth s Uneven Solar Heating Results in Large-Scale Thermal Cell type of Atmospheric Circulation. These large scale cells are created through the energy transfer Convection. A convection current forms in a room when air flows from a hot radiator to a cold window and back. Air warms, expands, becomes less dense, and rises over the radiator. Air cools, contracts, becomes more dense, and falls near the cold glass window. A convection cell is driven by density differences
Air Pressure Differences in air pressure are caused by the uneven heating of Earth Uneven heating produces pressure belts which occur every 30 latitude
Let s finish our large scale convection in the atmosphere!
Now that we know where the convection in our atmosphere takes place, let s take how these convection cells fuel global winds!
Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect is the appearance of wind to curve/deflect because Earth is spinning below the atmosphere. (Other words for deflection: swerve, hook, curve, whip) Let s see this in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt_xjp77- mk
In the Northern Hemisphere air turns to the right. In the Southern Hemisphere air turns to the left.
In the northern hemisphere; wind CURVES to the right In the southern hemisphere; wind CURVES to the left. Draw your arrows on your map!
Put your brain power to use and let s explore how the Earth s rotation effects these global winds.
Science Starter for today: On a blank sheet of notebook paper, compare and Contrast the two global wind diagrams below using a venn diagram. Satellite Image Global Winds Diagram
1. Which direction is the wind deflected in the northern hemisphere? 2. Which direction is the wind deflected in the southern hemisphere?
1. Which best explains how the Coriolis effect influences weather conditions? A. It causes winds to rotate, forming tornadoes on Earth. B. It causes winds to move to the right in the southern hemisphere. C. It causes winds to turn to the right in the northern hemisphere. D. It causes winds to follow a straight line path around Earth.
Global Winds The combination of pressure belts and the Coriolis Effect cause global winds These are polar easterlies, prevailing westerlies, and trade winds
Polar Easterlies Formed from cold sinking air moving from the poles creating cold temperatures Wind belts that extend from the poles to 60 latitude
Prevailing Westerlies Wind belts found between 30 and 60 latitude Flow towards the poles from west to east carrying moist air over the United States
Trade Winds Winds that blow from 30 almost to the equator Called the trade winds because of their use by early sailors
Doldrums Located along the equator where no winds blow because the warm rising air creates an area of low pressure
Jet Stream The jet streams are narrow belts of high speed winds that blow in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere Separates warm air from cold air
Local Winds Generally move short distances and can blow in any direction Caused by geographic features that produce temperature differences
Sea Breezes air moves from the ocean to the land. High pressure is created over the ocean during the day and low pressure over land due to uneven heating Air moves from the ocean to the land creating a sea breeze
Land Breezes air moves from the land to the ocean. Low pressure occurs over the ocean during the night and high pressure over land due to the uneven heating of earth This causes wind to move from the land to the ocean creating a land breeze
Question 1 What causes winds?
Answer Winds are caused by the uneven heating of Earth s surface, which causes pressure differences
Question 2 What are the three types of global winds?
Answer Polar Easterlies Westerlies Trade Winds
Question 3 What is the difference between a land breeze and a sea breeze?
Answer Sea breezes occur during the day when the land is warmer than water and a land breeze occurs at night when the water is warmer than land
Science Starter Complete the chart below: Name of Wind Description of wind Latitude of location
Science Starter How does heat transfer effect the global winds? Write your answer in complete sentences!
Science Starter! Review the vocabulary words atmosphere and composition. Write 3-5 sentences explaining what they are and how they are related to one another.
THE EARTH S ATMOSPHERE: Atmospheric Layers SOL 6.6
The Earth s Atmosphere: Atmospheric Layers Earth s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics. These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere. Let s find out where these layers are located in relation to the Earth s surface and how they are affected by temperature. lights occur in this atmospheric layer. This is also where the space shuttle orbits the Earth!
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earth s surface. Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. It extends to about 14 kilometers above the Earth and is where virtually all weather takes place. As you move up into the troposphere the temperature decreases. At the top of this layer the air temperature is about - 60 C.
The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere and extends to about 50 kilometers above the surface of the Earth. As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature actually increases. This occurs because of ozone. Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat.
The mesosphere begins at about 50 kilometers above the Earth s surface and extends to 80 kilometers. As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases. Temperatures at the top of this layer can drop to -90 C. Interestingly, this layer also protects the Earth. Meteoroids entering Earth s atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.
The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth s atmosphere. It begins at 80 kilometers above the Earth and extends outward into space. The higher you move in this layer, the higher the temperature. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800 C! The beautiful colors of the aurora borealis or northern
Atmosphere A mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon.
How big is the Atmosphere? The atmosphere begins at 0 Km and extends to 10,000 Km. The Earth has had multiple atmospheres since its creation.
Gases of the Atmosphere 78% = Nitrogen (N 2 ) Nitrogen (N2) = 78% 21% = Oxygen (O 2 ) 1% = Trace gases Oxygen (O2)= 21% Trace gases= 1% Argon CO 2 Neon Methane Ozone Argon CO2 Neon Methane Krypton Water Vapor Hydrogen
As much as 90% of all gases are in the Troposphere.
Atmospheric Pressure Atmospheric gases extend way above the Earth s surface. Gravity pulls down on air molecules the layers become compressed and pushes the layer below. This causes air pressure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmq8f WnM0fA
Air Pressure Air pressure Decreases as you go Higher Air pressure Increases as you go Lower
Think-Pair-Teach 1 s need to teach the following information to your partner (2). 2 s need to teach the following information to your partner (1). 1.What is the atmosphere? 2.How large is the atmosphere (km)? 1.What are the 3 main gas components in the atmosphere? AND their percentages? 2.What is the air pressure trend in the atmosphere?
Think-Pair-Summarize 1 s summarize what your partner (2) just taught you about the atmosphere composition and air pressure. 2 s summarize what your partner (1) just taught you about what the atmosphere is and how large the atmosphere is.
What do Ogres, Onions, and the Atmosphere have in common? LAYERS! Earth s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.
These layers are the The Troposphere, The Stratosphere, The Ozone Layer The Mesosphere, The Thermosphere, Ionosphere The Exosphere
How am I gonna remember this?!?! The Spider Man Took Elmo
Troposphere Closest to the Earth s surface 0-15 km Temperatures DECREASE Densest Layer! Contains almost all of Earth s gases, water vapor, clouds, air pollution, weather, and life-forms. Contains almost 90% of the atmosphere s total mass!
Stratosphere Layer above the troposphere. Extends from 15-50 km. Temperature INCREASES. Contains the Ozone Layer
Mesosphere Middle layer of the atmosphere extends 50-80 km. Temperature DECREASES. Coldest layer Meteors burn up in this layer!
Thermosphere Uppermost atmospheric layer extends 80-500 km. Temperature INCREASES No thermal energy transfer because air molecules are so far apart. Density is LOW Ionosphere Contains electrically charged particles Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
Fun Fact! The International Space Station (ISS) orbits around Earth in the mid to upper boundary of the thermosphere.
Exosphere Exiting atmosphere, outermost layer. Temperature INCREASES. Absorbs harmful solar energy. Where satellites orbit.
Atmosphere Layers Composition and Graphing Activity
It should look something like this
Analyze your graph When you have completed the temperature curve it should look similar to this.
Science Starter! What is the temperature trend of each atmospheric layer? Troposphere: Temp Stratosphere: Temp Mesosphere: Temp Thermosphere: Temp Exosphere: Temp
Atmosphere Diagram Complete the following atmosphere illustration in your notebook. Include: Layer Name, Temperature Trend, and characteristics for each layer
Troposphere The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earth s surface.
Troposphere Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere.
Troposphere It extends to about 14 kilometers (around 9 miles) above the Earth and is where virtually all weather takes place.
Troposphere As you move up into the troposphere the temperature decreases. At the top of this layer the air temperature is about - 60 C (-76 F).
Stratosphere The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere (14 km/ 9 miles) and extends to about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the surface of the Earth.
Stratosphere As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature actually increases.
Stratosphere This occurs because of ozone. Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat. The stratospheric or "good" ozone protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Stratosphere The ozone layer/ ozonosphere is located at the bottom of the stratosphere.
Mesosphere The mesosphere begins at about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the Earth s surface and extends to 80 kilometers (50 miles).
Mesosphere As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases. Temperatures at the top of this layer can drop to -90 C (- 130 F ).
Mesosphere Interestingly, this layer also protects the Earth. Meteoroids entering Earth s atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.
Thermosphere The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth s atmosphere.
Thermosphere It begins at 80 km (50 miles) above the Earth and extends outward into space. Sometimes the thermosphere and exosphere are listed as separate layers.
Thermosphere The higher you move in this layer, the higher the temperature. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800 C (3,300 F)!
Thermosphere The beautiful colors of the aurora borealis or northern lights occur in this atmospheric layer.
Thermosphere This is also where the space shuttle orbits the Earth!
Thermosphere
Thermosphere The ionosphere is found at the bottom of the thermosphere (close to the mesosphere). The exosphere is located at the top of the thermosphere.
Mr. Lee s Layers of the Atmosphere Song
Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. The Earth s atmosphere has LAYERS! Earth s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.