1. Science Starter!
Review the vocabulary words “atmosphere” and “composition”. Write 3-5 sentences explaining what they are and how they are related to one another.

2. THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE: Atmospheric Layers
SOL 6.6

3. Atmosphere
A mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon.

4. How big is the Atmosphere?
The atmosphere begins at 0 Km and extends to 10,000 Km. The Earth has had multiple atmospheres since its creation.

5. Gases of the Atmosphere
78% = Nitrogen (N2)
21% = Oxygen (O2) 1% = Trace gases
Argon
CO2
Neon
Methane
Ozone
Water Vapor
Nitrogen (N2) = 78%
Oxygen (O2)= 21%
Trace gases= 1%
Argon
CO2
Neon
Methane
Krypton
Hydrogen

6. As much as 90% of all gases are in the Troposphere.

7. Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric gases extend way above the Earth’s surface.
Gravity pulls down on air molecules the layers become compressed and pushes the layer below. This causes air pressure.

8. Air Pressure
Air pressure Decreases as you go Higher Air pressure Increases as you go Lower

9. Think-Pair-Teach
1’s need to teach the following information to your partner (2).
What is the atmosphere?
How large is the atmosphere (km)?
2’s need to teach the following information to your partner (1).
What are the 3 main gas components in the atmosphere? AND their percentages?
What is the air pressure trend in the atmosphere?

10. Think-Pair-Summarize
1’s summarize what your partner (2) just taught you about the atmosphere composition and air pressure.
2’s summarize what your partner (1) just taught you about what the atmosphere is and how large the atmosphere is.

11. What do Ogres, Onions, and the Atmosphere have in common?
LAYERS!
Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.

12. These layers are the… The Troposphere, The Stratosphere,
The Ozone Layer
The Mesosphere,
The Thermosphere,
Ionosphere
The Exosphere

13. Atmosphere Layer Game
With your partner, you’re going to memorize the various atmosphere layers. Your goal is to beat every other group in the classroom!!! Who can put the layers in the order the fastest!?!
When told, take the lamonated layers out of your ziploc baggie.
Scramble your layers. DON’T PEAK!!!
When told to go, BEGIN!!!

14. How am I gonna remember this?!?!
The Spider Man Took Elmo

15. Troposphere Closest to the Earth’s surface 0-15 km
Temperatures DECREASE
Densest Layer! Contains almost all of Earth’s gases, water vapor, clouds, air pollution, weather, and life-forms.
Contains almost 90% of the atmosphere’s total mass!

16. Stratosphere Layer above the troposphere. Extends from 15-50 km.
Temperature INCREASES.
Contains the Ozone Layer

17. Mesosphere Middle layer of the atmosphere extends 50-80 km.
Temperature DECREASES.
Coldest layer
Meteors burn up in this layer!

18. Thermosphere Uppermost atmospheric layer extends 80-500 km.
Temperature INCREASES
No thermal energy transfer because air molecules are so far apart.
Density is LOW
Ionosphere
Contains electrically charged particles
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

19. Fun Fact!
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits around Earth in the mid to upper boundary of the thermosphere.

20. Exosphere Exiting atmosphere, outermost layer. Temperature INCREASES.
Absorbs harmful solar energy.
Where satellites orbit.

21. Science Starter!
Write down the layers of the atmosphere in the correct order!
Assign each layer of the atmosphere one of the colors below. Explain why you chose your color to represent each layer.
Red
Dark Blue
Light Blue
Orange
Black
Layer
Color
Why this color?
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere

22. Composition and Graphing Activity
Atmosphere Layers
Composition and Graphing Activity

23. You have been hired by NASA to study the atmosphere
You have been hired by NASA to study the atmosphere. We know that there are gasses that surrounds our planet. But we need to find out more information! You have just launched your first satellite through the atmosphere to collect data. It is now your job to analyze and infer how/where we are going to divide our atmosphere!

24. Part 1 First part is to graph the composition of the atmosphere.
The instructions give you the gases and their percentages of the various gases (EVEN THOUGH YOU SHOOOOOUUUUUULD KNOW THEM!).

25. You’ll need the following
3 different colored pencils
A key near your composition chart
Let’s set it up together 

26. It should look something like this

27. Part 2 Graph the temperature trend/curve for the atmosphere.
This is plotted as an (X,Y) graph.
We will do the first three together. After that YOYO!

28. Analyze your graph
When you have completed the temperature curve it should look similar to this.

29. To analyze the graph you will need
A red color pencil – areas increasing in temperature (getting warmer).
A blue color pencil – areas decreasing in temperature (getting colder).
A green color pencil – areas that are in the process of changing temperature.

30. Everyone good so far?
Once we have determined you’ve got it goin’ on and you’re on the right track, make your inferences on where the layers change
*Remember this is the high point of your research study with NASA. The entire reason they hired you was to do this one job, DO IT WELL!

32. NASA’s Questions
NASA wants to hold a press conference of your findings. The questions below are some examples of what the press will ask you .
Answer the questions to prep for your big day!

33. Composition of the Atmosphere
Complete the composition of the atmosphere foldable with your partner.
You will have 2.5 minutes to do this!!!!

34. Atmosphere Diagram
Complete the following atmosphere illustration in your notebook.
Include: Layer Name, Temperature Trend, and characteristics for each layer
Give students 15 minutes to complete this illustration.

35. Atmosphere Jigsaw Activity
Complete Jigsaw activity.
Number off 1-5.
1-Troposphere
2- Stratosphere
3- Mesosphere
4-Thermosphere
5-Exosphere

36. Get in your groupings.
Compelte a Poster on your layer.
Poster should have Title, WRITTEN information, various temperature trends apparent in your layer, and neat facts or characteristics.

37. Go back to your original seat.
Each should teach your group whatever layer you just finished learning/creating a poster on.
When everyone has presented, staple all the posters together to create a group booklet! Complete foldable in your SISN based off the information in your group book.

38. Turn in your book to me at the end when you have finished for me to grade!!!