1. Atmosphere, Energy, and Climate Change C. Ophardt

2. Atmosphere - Troposphere
Troposphere means  “region of mixing” because of vigorous convective air currents
6 to 10 miles above the earth
Most weather phenomena occurs here
Temperature decreases from earth until it reaches –70 degrees F at the top
Contains largest percentage of the mass of the total atmosphere
Molecules: N2, O2, Ar, H2O, Ne, He, CH4, Kr

3. Atmosphere - Stratosphere
Above troposphere extending 30 miles includes ozone layer
Temperature constant in lower part rises to 30 degrees F
Ozone (O3) layer plays major role regulating UV radiation

4. Atmosphere - Mesosphere
Follows stratosphere 50 – 56 miles from earth
Temperature continues to fall lowest temperature –130 degrees F
Insignificant concentration of ozone and water vapor
Atmosphere enriched with lighter gases air strongly dependent on altitude
Residual gases begin to stratify at high altitudes according to molecular mass (because of gravitational separation)

5. Atmosphere - Thermosphere
Above mesosphere 80 – 100 miles above earth
Temperature rises max approximately 2192 degrees F
Increase of temperature due to absorption of intense solar radiation – limited remaining molecular oxygen
Gas molecules widely separated at this altitude

6. Atmosphere - Exosphere
Outermost region of earth’s atmosphere
Atoms follow ballistic trajectories
Because density of atoms is so low in this region they rarely undergo collisions
Approximately 300 – 1200 miles above the earth

7. Energy, Atmosphere, Climate Change
All processes that act on or within the Earth require energy. Energy can exist in many different forms:
Gravitational Energy -- released when object falls from higher to lower elevations.
Heat Energy -- exhibited by moving atoms - temperature. Heat content depends on mass
Chemical Energy -- released by breaking or forming chemical bonds.
Radiant Energy -- carried by electromagnetic waves (light) from the Sun.
Atomic Energy -- stored or released in binding particles in atoms together. Most of the energy generated within the Earth comes from this source.

8. Energy - Heat Transfer
Heat Moves through material by the following modes:
Conduction - transfer by molecular collisions - these vibrations move from high to low temperature Heat from Earth's interior moves through the solid crust by this mode of heat transfer.
Convection - Heat moves with the material, thus the material must be able to move. Atmosphere and Mantle appears to transfer heat by this method.
Radiation - Heat moves with electromagnetic radiation (light). Heat from the Sun or from a fire is transferred by this mode.

9. Energy - Heat Transfer II
Specific heat - amount of heat required to raise 1 gram of a substance 1degree C. Water has a high specific heat = 1cal/g/deg Large bodies of water maintain a relatively constant temperature with respect to great swings in ambient temperatures.
Latent heat - amount of energy required to change a substance from one state to another.
Condensation - change of water from the gaseous to the liquid state. Latent heat is released - warming process.
Evaporation - change of water from a liquid to gaseous state. Latent heat is required - a cooling process.

10. Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere
Conduction: Air is a poor conductor of heat so conduction works only close to ground.
Convection: As the layer at the base of the atmosphere is heated by conduction, the heated air expands and rises. Cooler air than sinks.

11. Radiation - Electromagnetic
Transfer of heat by means of electromagnetic radiation.
Light
Infrared radiation
Only method that operates in a vacuum
Method of heat transfer from Sun to Earth
Open fireplace heats room by radiation
However, it loses even more up chimney due to convection

12. Radiation - Electromagnetic

13. Incoming Solar Radiation?
Some energy is reflected (Shortwave reflectance) back into space.
Majority of the energy (Shortwave absorption) is used in the planet's heat cycle evaporation of water to run the hydrologic cycle
- weather cycle, wind, and waves.
Photosynthesis

14. The Earth’s Radiation Balance:
The Earth maintains a constant temperature due a balance between the Incoming and Outgoing radiation

15. Average surface temperature with and without atmosphere
With: 59 deg. F Without: 0 deg. F

16. Absorption of Radiation by the Atmosphere

17. Absorption of Radiation by the Atmosphere

18. Absorption of Radiation by the Atmosphere
Green House Gases that absorb IR radiation from Earth
Methane: CH4
Carbon Dioxide: CO2
Water Vapor: H2O
Gases that absorb UV radiation from Sun
Ozone: O3

19. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

20. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

21. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

22. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

23. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

24. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

25. Evidence for Global Warming?
Guided Inquiry - Provide Data

26. Should the U.S. ratify the Koyto Treaty?
Science, Technology, and Society Exercise
1. What is the technology that is responsible for making carbon dioxide?
2. What are the benefits to society?
3. What are the side effects?
4. How strong is the case for the cause and effect relation of carbon dioxide and global warming?
5. What is the Koyto Treaty?
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks?
7. Should the U.S. ratify the Koyto Treaty?

27. Quiz Questions
Ques. 1: An increase in the amount of [ ? ] in the atmosphere could block so much insolation that there theoretically could be
a reduction of average temperatures at the Earth's surface.
Ques. 2: Ocean currents are one of three ways that the Earth redistributes excess heat from the [ ? ] toward the [ ? ].
Ques. 3: Water vapor goes into the atmosphere by the process of [ ? ], transferring much heat energy from one place to
another by the process of [ ? ].
Ques. 4: What is the most abundant element in the earth's atmosphere?
A. Argon. B. Carbon dioxide. C. Neon. D. Nitrogen. E. Oxygen.
Ques. 5: What is the correct order of earth's atmospheric layers from bottom to top?
A. Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.
B. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.
C. Stratosphere, Troposphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Exosphere.
D. Troposphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.
E. Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.

28. Quiz Questions
Ques. 6: Which layer of the atmosphere has the highest density of gas molecules?
A. Troposphere. B. Mesosphere. C.Stratosphere. D. Thermosphere.
Ques. 7: Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Ques. 8: .In which layer do virtually all weather phenomena take place?
Ques. 9: What frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are absorbed by the earth's ozone layer?
A. Infrared light. B. Microwaves. C. Ultraviolet light. D. Visible light.
Ques. 10: What frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are most abundantly emitted by the sun?
A. Infrared light. B. Microwaves. C. Ultraviolet light. D. Visible light
Ques. 11: What frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are most abundantly emitted by the earth?
A. Infrared light. B. Microwaves. C. Ultraviolet light. D. Visible light Ques. 12: What frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are absorbed by gasses in the troposphere?