1. Earth’s Atmosphere Investigation 2, Part 2
Where’s the Air?
TG P.76-77
Earth’s Atmosphere
Investigation 2, Part 2

2. Earth from Space Turn to pg 8
Larger photo taken by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972
The upper image taken by Space Shuttle astronauts.
Shows only a small portion of Earth
W&W Resource Book- P.8

3. Can you see the atmosphere?
Where?
Atmosphere
TG-P.78
Resource Book- P.8
Can you see the atmosphere? No

4. Why can’t you see the atmosphere?
So thin it is not visible from far away
TG-P.78
Resource Book- P.8

5. What objects can you see in the atmosphere?
Can you see the atmosphere in the image of Earth taken from the shuttle?
Yes, it is white, orange layer above Earth’s surface
TG-P.78
Resource Book- P.8
Clouds
What objects can you see in the atmosphere?

6. A layer of air surrounding the Earth
Atmosphere
A layer of air surrounding the Earth
Between Earth’s surface and the vastness of space
TG-P.78
Resource Book- P.8
We live at the bottom of the atmosphere called troposphere.

7. Layers of the Atmosphere
Based on the properties of the atmosphere
TG-P.78
Atmosphere Poster

8. Layers of the Atmosphere
Stratosphere
Ozone layer is found here
Troposphere
Lowest layer
Most of the air
Contains 85% of the air
Weather occurs
Represents 2% of height
Most complex part of the atmosphere
TG-P.78
Atmosphere Poster

9. Layers of the Atmosphere
Thermosphere
Not much is known
There isn’t much air found in this layer
Mesosphere
Layer where meteors burn up to create shooting stars
TG-P.78
Atmosphere Poster

10. Layers of the Atmosphere
Exosphere
Farthest layer from Earth
Thick layer
Contains very little air
Transition between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space
TG-P.78
Atmosphere Poster

11. Elevator to Space
View the program and see what happens as you move through the atmosphere.
TG-P.79
CD-ROM- Elevator to Space

12. Thin Blue Veil Reading Read starting on p. 8, “The Thin Blue Veil”.
When finished, answer the questions on p. 5 of your lab book.
TG-P.79
Resource Book-P.8
Student Lab Notebook P 5

13. Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers
What is the atmosphere?
The layer of gases (air) surrounding Earth.
Describe how the amount of air changes as you travel up through the Earth’s atmosphere?
Air gets thinner
There is less and less air
TG-P.79-80
Resource Book-P.8
Student Lab Notebook P 5
Transparency Master P 321
Teacher Answer Master- p 

14. Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers
Describe how the composition of gases change as you travel up through Earth’s atmosphere?
Nitrogen and oxygen stay pretty much the same
Carbon Dioxide, water vapor, and methane are found only in the troposphere
TG-P.79-80
Resource Book-P.8
Student Lab Notebook P 5
Transparency Master P 321
Teacher Answer Master- p 

15. Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers
Describe how the temperature changes as you travel up through the atmosphere?
Temperature generally decreases as altitude increases
TG-P.79-80
Resource Book-P.8
Student Lab Notebook P 5
Transparency Master P 321
Teacher Answer Master- p 

16. Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers
What layer of the atmosphere do you think is of greatest interest to meteorologists? Why do you think so?
Troposphere
This is where the clouds, wind, rain, and other weather occur
TG-P.79-80
Resource Book-P.8
Student Lab Notebook P 5
Transparency Master P 321
Teacher Answer Master- p 

17. Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers
What gases are found in the atmosphere?
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Water vapor
Hydrogen
Helium
Argon
Methane
What gases are only found in the troposphere?
Carbon dioxide
Water vapor
Methane
TG-P.79-80
Resource Book-P.8
Student Lab Notebook P 5
Transparency Master P 321
Teacher Answer Master- p 

18. What did you learn?
Draw an advanced graph to represent km above sea level with temperatures that range from -105ºC to 150ºC.
Represent the layers of atmosphere with the above factors and draw items you might expect to find there.

19. Reading & Math Extension
Read history of temperature
Read how to convert from C to F and/or F to C
Convert C to F
Check by converting back from F to C
Check with online conversion tool