Introduction to Meteorology Unit 3

What are some examples of weather?

What is weather? Definition: the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. Includes temperature, precipitation, visibility, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction, etc. Example: at 11am on January 9, 2009 in Emerson, Georgia it was cloudy, low humidity and 39° Fahrenheit

What is climate? Definition: the characteristic weather conditions in an area over a long period of time Example: Atlanta, Georgia

Characteristics of the Atmosphere What is the most common gas in the atmosphere?

Characteristics of the Atmosphere Mixture of gases surround Earth Oxygen to breathe Protect from Sun 2 Main Components Nitrogen released from dead plants & animals…volcanoes Oxygen made by phytoplankton & plants

Atmospheric Pressure Changes with Altitude Gravity’s force on atmosphere Air pressure and altitude

Air Pressure measure of force of air molecules pushing on a surface strongest at Earth’s surface as altitude , air pressure

Air Temperature Changes with Atmospheric Conditions Temperature varies with altitude

Temperature Changes with Altitude temp differences result from solar energy absorption some areas warmer because high % solar absorbing gases

Altitude and Density Altitude: distance above sea level Density: amount of mass in a given volume Example: stuffed toy and rock Density decreases as altitude increases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqLCwuKMB MA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c2rfo7TBR U&feature=youtu.be

4 Layers of the Atmosphere prefix: tropo- “turning” strato- “layer” meso- “middle” thermo- “heat” suffix: sphere- “ball”

Layers of Atmosphere Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere where we live; lowest & densest layer; great temp variation; 0 – 6 miles above the Earth Stratosphere above troposphere; layered/little mixing of gases; ozone layer-protects life; 6 – 31 miles above the Earth Mesosphere middle layer; coldest; meteor trails; 31 – 56 miles above the Earth Thermosphere uppermost; highest temps, doesn’t feel hot- b/c particles far apart; 56 miles above the Earth

Sections of Thermosphere Exosphere outermost; satellites orbit Ionosphere electrically charged particles- ions Auroras

What creates a sudden change in the atmosphere? Volcanic eruptions- put gases and ash into the atmosphere Forest fires- increases the amount of carbon dioxide Dust storms- puts large amounts of dust into the atmosphere

Math in Science If an average cloud has a density of 0.5 g/m³ and has a volume of 1,000,000,000 m³, what is the mass of an average cloud? D = M/V

Ch. 15.2 Atmospheric Heating

Atmospheric Heating 3 ways Sun’s energy transferred thru atmosphere: Radiation-energy transferred by electromagnetic waves Conduction-energy transferred by direct contact Convection-energy transferred by circulation convection current- circular mvmt of air- warm rising/cool sinking

The Greenhouse Effect -Earth’s natural heating process

Solar Radiation 5% of the radiation from the sun is reflected by Earth’s surface 25% is reflected by the clouds and Earth’s atmosphere 20% is absorbed by clouds and the atmosphere 50% is absorbed by Earths surface

The Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Effect gases (water vapor & CO2) absorb thermal energy & radiate it back to Earth most energy escapes into space; atmosphere traps the rest increasing levels of greenhouse gases could cause global warming

Math in Science Find the average of the following temperatures: 73.2˚ F 71.1˚ F 54.6˚ F 65.5˚ F 78.2˚ F 81.9˚ F 82.1˚ F.