Aim: How can we describe the greenhouse effect and climate change?

How much solar radiation reaches Earth? The Earth’s surface only absorbs 51% of incoming solar radiation

Global Heat Budget Condensation & Energy is transferred from the Earth’s surface by radiation, conduction, convection, Ultimately, the Sun’s heat and Earth’s energy transfer is a major cause of weather.

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 (CO2), Methane, and WATER VAPOR

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 gasses and the climate gets warmer (climate change)

Aim: How can we explain the properties of the atmosphere?

Aurora Borealis occur when highly charged electrons from the solar wind interact with elements in the earth's atmosphere.

Atmosphere Layer of gases that surrounds Earth Mostly nitrogen and oxygen Split into zones; Troposphere (where all weather happens), Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere Boundaries between zones called ‘pauses’

ESRT HUNT Find your reference table page that deals with the atmosphere!!

Atmospheric oxygen is O2, which we breathe, and O3, called OZONE Ozone – a form of oxygen that protects us from harmful radiation. Located in the STRATOSPHERE

Properties of the Atmosphere As altitude increases, the temperature varies As altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases As altitude increases, the water vapor decreases

INCREASE THEN DECREASE In which atmospheric later is most water vapor found? TROPOSPHERE As the altitude increases from the tropopause to the mesopause, the atmospheric temperature will INCREASE THEN DECREASE What is the approximate thickness of the troposphere? ABOUT 12 km

What is the most abundant element by volume in the troposphere? NITROGEN How many miles above sea level is the mesopause located? 50 miles Approximately what is the temperature 50 km above sea level? 0o Celsius