2. Atmosphere

3. Essential Question
How does the structure and composition of the atmosphere affect the distribution of resources?

4. The thin layer of gases that surround the earth.
Atmosphere
The thin layer of gases that surround the earth.

5. Ok, what gases? Nitrogen – 78% Oxygen – 21% Other – 1% Argon – 0.9%
CO2 – 0.036%
CH4 – %
NOx – %
O3 – %

6. What else is up there? Particulate Matter Aerosols
Tiny particles of dust, soil, salt, ash, skin, hair, pollen, combustion byproducts, bacteria and viruses
Aerosols
Tiny droplets of liquid

7. Layers of the Atmosphere

8. Troposphere Closest to surface Up to 18km (10mi)
All weather occurs in the troposphere
Densest layer
90% of atmospheric gases
Temp decreases as altitude increases
(-51oC, -60oF)
Tropopause
Boundary between troposphere and stratosphere

9. Stratosphere It ain’t just a casino in Vegas! 18km-50km (31mi)
But the one in Vegas is really cool too!
18km-50km (31mi)
Ozone Layer UV
Airplanes
Temperature increases as altitude increases
(-15oC, 5oF)
Ozone traps UV which warms the air
Stratopause
Boundary between stratosphere and mesosphere

10. Before we leave the Stratosphere
Who was the first person to break the sound barrier?
Nope,
Joseph Kittinger
Project Excelsior
76,400 ft.
102,800 ft.
4 ½ minute freefall

11. Mesosphere 50km-80km (53mi) Temperature decreases as you gain altitude
Coldest layer of atmosphere (-120oC, -184oF)
Meteorites
Mesopause
Boundary between the mesosphere and thermosphere
Sprites

12. Thermosphere 80km-550km (430mi)
Temperature increases as altitude increases
2,000oC, 3,600oF
Aurora
Ionosphere
Thermopause
Boundary between the thermosphere and exosphere

13. Exosphere 10,000km, 6,200mi Gases escape into space Space shuttle
Most satellites
Temperature decreases as altitude increases

14. Solar Radiation Where does heat come from? Radiation Conduction
The transfer of energy across space
Campfire
Conduction
The flow of energy from a warm object to a colder object
Convection
The transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid

15. Electromagnetic Spectrum