Transcript tHE ATMOSPHERE - Warren County Public Schools

tHE ATMOSPHERE
Earth’s Atmosphere
The Earth’s atmosphere is a thin layer of air that
forms a protective covering around the planet.
This layer of gas maintains a balance between the
heat absorbed from the sun and the amount released
back into space.
Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth’s atmosphere is made up of a mixture of gases.
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
4% Water Vapor
Other gases include Argon and Carbon Dioxide
Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth’s Atmosphere has 5 layers
Lower Layers
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Upper Layers
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Troposphere
This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
This is where we are.
It contains 99% of the water vapor and 75 of all
atmospheric gases.
Troposphere
This begins at the surface of Earth and extends up to
10 km.
All weather occurs in the troposphere.
Stratosphere
This is found directly above the troposphere.
It extends from 10 km to about 50 km above Earth’s
surface.
Most importantly, the Ozone Layer is found in the
Stratosphere.
Ozone Layer
Ozone is made up of 3 atoms of oxygen (O3)
It is found at 19 km - 43 km.
The ozone layer shields humans from the sun’s
harmful ultraviolet radiation.
UV radiation can cause skin damage and lead to skin
cancer.
Ozone Layer
There has been damage done to the Ozone Layer.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are compounds found in
refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays that
can destroy ozone layers.
This can allow more of the sun’s UV rays to reach
Earth.
Mesosphere
The Mesosphere extends from 50 km to 85 km.
“Meso” means middle. It is the third of five layers.
Meteors can be seen when they reach the
mesosphere.
Thermosphere
This is the largest layer of the atmosphere.
It reaches from 85 km to 500 km.
It gets its name from the high temperatures that can
be found there.
Ionosphere
Through the Mesosphere and Thermosphere is the
Ionosphere.
This is a layer of electrically charged particles.
This allows radio waves to travel across the country.
Exosphere
Beyond 500 km is the Exosphere.
This is where shuttles will be.
However, there are so few molecules, the wings do
not provide any guidance.
Beyond the exosphere is outer space.
aTMOSPHERIC pRESSURE
Air Pressure- the measure of the force with which the
air molecules push on a surface.
Air pressure changes throughout the atmosphere
The atmosphere is held by a planet’s gravity
Temperature
Altitude- the height of an object above the Earth’s
surface.
Air temperature also changes as you increase
altitude.
tEMPERATURE AND hEAT
Temperature- a measure of the average energy of
particles in motion.
A high temperature means that the particles are
moving fast.
Heat- transfer of energy between objects at different
temperatures.
Energy in the ATMOSPHERE
Radiation- the transfer of energy as electromagnetic
waves. (Sunlight)
The radiation absorbed by land, water, and
atmosphere is changed into thermal (heat) energy
Conduction- is the transfer of thermal energy from
one material to another by direct contact.
Water Cycle
Energy in the Atmosphere
Convection- the transfer of thermal energy by the
circulation or movement of a liquid or gas.
The continual process of warm air rising and cool air
sinking creates a circular movement of air called
convection current.
Greenhouse effect
50% of the radiation that enters the Earth’s
atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
The Earth’s heating process, in which the gases in
the atmosphere trap thermal energy, is known as the
greenhouse effect.
A rise in average global temperature is called global
warming.
ATmospheric Pressure and
Winds
Wind is moving air
Wind is created by differences in air pressure.