Transcript The Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate

The Atmosphere, Weather,
and Climate
SNC2D
The Spheres of Earth
Earth’s biosphere is the thin layer of the
Earth that is able to support life.
The Spheres of Earth
Earth’s biosphere is the thin layer of the
Earth that is able to support life.
It consists of the:
• hydrosphere: the water
• lithosphere: the rock (the crust)
• atmosphere: the gas
The Composition of the
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is approximately:
The Composition of the
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is approximately:
• 78% nitrogen gas
• 21% oxygen gas
• 1% other gases
(argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)
The Composition of the
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is approximately:
• 78% nitrogen gas
• 21% oxygen gas
• 1% other gases
(argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)
and atmospheric dust particles, both abiotic
(e.g. soot) and biotic (microorganisms)
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into layers:
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into layers:
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into layers:
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into layers:
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into layers:
The Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into layers:
The edge of space above the thermosphere
is often referred to as the exosphere.
Weather vs. Climate
Weather is the environmental conditions
(temperature, precipitation, etc.) occurring
at a particular place at a particular time.
Climate is the average weather conditions
over a long period of time (years).
Climate factors:
The 4 main factors affecting an area’s
climate are:
Climate factors:
The 4 main factors affecting an area’s
climate are:
• Latitude
Climate factors:
The 4 main factors affecting an area’s
climate are:
• Latitude
• Elevation
Climate factors:
The 4 main factors affecting an area’s
climate are:
• Latitude
• Elevation
• Air masses that flow
over the area
Climate factors:
The 4 main factors affecting an area’s
climate are:
• Latitude
• Elevation
• Air masses that flow over the area
• Nearness to large bodies of water
Biomes
A biome is a large geographical region with
a defined range of temperature and
precipitation – its climate.
Biomes
A biome is a large geographical region with
a defined range of temperature and
precipitation – its climate.
Biomes
Each biome is characterized by the plant
(and animal) life that is adapted to it.
E.g. the cold, dry tundra is characterized by
its lichens, mosses, and sedges.
Biomes
Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:
Biomes
Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:
Biomes
Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:
Biomes
Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:
Biomes
Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:
Climatographs
The climate of any particular area can be
analyzed using climatographs:
Toronto’s Climate
We will be using climatographs to analyze
how Toronto’s climate has changed from
1840 – 1859 to 1971 – 2000.
p. 270 – 271 Inquiry Activity:
“Toronto, Then and Now”