Earth’s Atmosphere By: Mr. Hunter

What do you know about the atmosphere?

Why is the atmosphere important to me? The atmosphere is a layer of _____ surrounding Earth. It contains the _____ you need to breathe. It protects humans from harmful rays of _____ _____ from the sun.

What gasses make up the atmosphere?

What else is the atmosphere made up of? Particles ( dust, ____ _____, sea salt, _____, smoke) Water

Meterstick with balloons at both ends…

Demonstration 1. Does air have mass? 2. How does this demonstration show that air has mass? 3. How do you think the atmosphere is held in place?

Demonstration Air does have ____ !

Air pressure is _____ closer to the surface of the earth.

Earth’s atmosphere is divided into _____ . Layers end in “_____ “ which means ball.

Three Characteristics Layer Altitude Range Temperature Range Three Characteristics

Three Characteristics Layer Altitude Range Temp. Vs. Altitude Three Characteristics Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Ionosphere

Troposphere Densest layer Contains 90% of the atmosphere’s total mass Water vapor, clouds, air pollution, weather, and life forms are found here Temperatures vary greatly here

Thin air with little moisture Stratosphere Layered gases Thin air with little moisture Temperature rises with altitude because of ozone

Temperature decreases as altitude increases Mesosphere Middle layer Coldest layer Temperature decreases as altitude increases

Thermosphere Uppermost layer Temperature increases with altitude Very high temperatures, but not hot

Upper part of thermosphere IONOSPHERE Upper part of thermosphere Made of electrically charged gas particles called ions Reflects AM radio waves

Auroras

Poem T S M I

“ I thought I saw a blue jay this morning “ I thought I saw a blue jay this morning. The the smog was so bad it turned out to be a cardinal holding its breath.” – Michael J. Cohen

You know your air is polluted when…

What is air pollution? Contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from _____ and _____ sources

Primary Pollutants Dust Sea salt Volcanic gases Ash Smoke Pollen Carbon monoxide Chemicals

Secondary Pollutants Secondary pollutants form when primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants or with naturally occurring substances.

Secondary Pollutants Ozone Smog

Good Ozone

BAD OZONE Near ground level; harmful to breathe Can damage trees/crops Hot daylight hours of summer Comes from burning _____

Determine the difference between point and nonpoint-source pollutants. Pollution Determine the difference between point and nonpoint-source pollutants.

Pollution originating from a single, identifiable source is called point-source pollution. Pollution that does not originate from a single source, or point, is called nonpoint-source pollution.

Point Source or Nonpoint-Source Pollutant? 1. smoke from burning brush 2. ozone 3. chemical wastes 4. haze 5. gases from agricultural industries

The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. Acid Rain The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is _____. A pH less than 7 is acidic. A pH greater than 7 is _____.

The pH of average rainwater is 5.5. Acid Rain The pH of average rainwater is 5.5.

What is acid rain’s affect on… 1. plants 2. forests 3. aquatic ecosystems 4. humans

Letter Write a 1-page letter to your legislator explaining the problem of air pollution. Explain three ways to solve the problem.