Lesson 4 How does the atmosphere change at different elevations? WEATHER, CLIMATE and ME Lesson 4 How does the atmosphere change at different elevations?

Part 1 What do you think? How does air at upper levels compare to air closer to the Earth? Consider: temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Why might these differences occur?

What does the column of air on top of the figures represent?

Air Pressure Activity Procedure: Place one sheet of waxed paper on the table. Followed by two clay spheres, waxed paper and a book. Do not press down on the book but place it gently on the clay. Repeat the layers until you have a model that is 4 books high. Leave the model in place for 5 minutes. Draw and write what you think will happen. Remove the books one at a time and record your observations. Describe the pattern that you found when comparing the clay. How do you explain the pattern? Describe how the model explains how air at sea level is different than air at the top of a mountain. Write you responses in your student journal.

Here is another model that shows the same idea.

Part 2 EXPLORE What did you conclude, from the last activity, about the relationship between pressure and elevation? Now let’s take a look at how pressure affects temperature.

Now we will use a 2 liter bottle and a thermometer to see how pressure affects temperature. Procedure: Draw a picture of the bottle without added pressure. Record the temperature of the air inside the bottle. Firmly squeeze the bottle. Record the temperature inside the bottle under pressure. Describe the pattern you saw between pressure and temperature. Describe what is happening to the molecules inside the bottle. Describe how this model relates to air pressure and temperature in the atmosphere.

Air pressure and air temperature change at different elevations. Which person is experiencing the greatest amount of air pressure and temperature? What is happening at different elevations? How have the investigations helped to demonstrate this?

Part 3 Wrap Up

What we find in the Atmosphere and Temperature at Elevation Space ShuttleSpace Station and Satellites - Ionosphere (electron activity) and Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) - Meteor Tails / Shooting Stars Ozone Layer - Weather Balloons - Nearest the Earth Most of the weather and human activity Clouds, Jets in upper Troposphere

Summary Discussion Discuss: 1. Temperature differences from layer to layer in the atmosphere. 2. How the clay sphere and milk jug activities help explain air pressure.