Aim: How does the atmosphere change with altitude? Aim: How does the atmosphere change with altitude? Topic: Meteorology Topic: Meteorology Main Idea: Layers of the Atmosphere Main Idea: Layers of the Atmosphere

1) What is the order of the layers of the atmosphere from the ground up? Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere and Thermosphere.

2) What are the “pauses”? These are the interfaces between layers. These are the interfaces between layers.

Troposphere The layer we are breathing in The layer we are breathing in Temperature decreases with altitude Temperature decreases with altitude Contains almost all moisture and jet streams Contains almost all moisture and jet streams Where all weather occurs Where all weather occurs

Stratosphere Stratosphere Contains the ozone layer which filters out UV radiation Contains the ozone layer which filters out UV radiation Temperature increases with altitude Temperature increases with altitude

Mesosphere Mesosphere Temperature decreases as altitude increases Contains the coldest part of the atmosphere Layer where meteors burn up

Thermosphere Temperature increases up to more than 3,600 o F at the upper portion Temperature increases up to more than 3,600 o F at the upper portion Absorbs X-ray and UV rays Absorbs X-ray and UV rays Charged particles collide producing Northern and Southern lights Charged particles collide producing Northern and Southern lights

4) What happens to atmospheric pressure as you increase in altitude? Why? At sea level it is 29.97” Hg or 14.7 psi but pressure decreases with altitude because gravity pulls most of the molecules to the surface. At sea level it is 29.97” Hg or 14.7 psi but pressure decreases with altitude because gravity pulls most of the molecules to the surface.

Summary