1. Earth's Atmosphere

2. WEATHER vs. CLIMATE WEATHER
the general condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place
Constantly changing
Short term
Studied by meteorologists
Examples??

3. WEATHER vs. CLIMATE CLIMATE
the general condition of the atmosphere over many years
Gradual change
Long term
Include:
Extremes
Probabilities
Studied by climatologists
Examples??

4. ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION
The atmosphere is a mixture of gases with some suspended solids and liquids.
Abundant gases:
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Water vapor 0-4%
Argon 0.93%
Carbon dioxide 0.03%
Trace gases:
Neon, helium, ozone, methane, krypton, xenon, hydrogen, pollutants.

5. ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION
When water vapor is high (4%), the most dominant gases decrease in percentage.
Dust, salt and ice are the most common solids in the atmosphere.
Water is also in the atmosphere as a liquid.

6. Importance of MINOR components
Water Vapor
- Absorbs the sun’s energy.
Ozone
- Absorbs the sun’s Ultraviolet Radiation
Atmospheric Dust
- Scatters the sun’s radiation.

7. WATER in Atmosphere Get the books out Fill in answers for 6.04
Go to page 243
Draw cycles for 6.05
Go to page 456

8. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE

10. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
There are 5 main layers of the atmosphere.
Troposphere
Closest to the ground.
Temperature decreases with elevation.
Contains 75% of all the gases in atmosphere.
Contains all weather.
The top of this layer is called the tropopause.

11. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Stratosphere-
Temperature increases with elevation.
Contains ozone.
Absorbs sun’s radiation, causes layer to increase in temperature.
Top of this layer is called the stratopause.

12. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Mesosphere-
Temperature decreases with elevation.
Coldest layer, dropping to -90oC
Top of this layer is called the mesopause.

13. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Thermosphere-
Temperatures increase with elevation.
Contains Nitrogen and Oxygen which absorb the Sun’s energy.
Contains the ionosphere which is made of ions and free electrons and reflects radio transmissions.

14. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Exosphere-
Above the thermosphere.
Contains very little gas.
The space shuttle orbits here.
Above this layer is empty space.

15. THE OZONE LAYER
The ozone layer is an atmospheric layer with a high concentration of ozone.
Located in the stratosphere.
Ozone is a form of oxygen.
O2 is the oxygen we breathe.
O3 is ozone.

16. THE OZONE LAYER
The ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation that enters the atmosphere.
Too much exposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer.

17. THE OZONE LAYER
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators, aerosol sprays and foam packaging destroy ozone.
Governments have restricted the production and use of CFCs.

24. Traveling Nitrogen Ocean Atmosphere Live Animals Surface Water
Animal Waste
Rain Water
Live Plants
Groundwater
Atmosphere
Surface Water
Fertilizers
Soils
Dead Plants and Animals

25. ATOMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
The weight of the air above us pushing down causes the atmospheric pressure.

26. ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE The air is being pulled to the ground by gravity.
The more air there is above us, the greater the pressure.

27. Aneroid Barometer = "without" liquid
A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.
Aneroid Barometer = "without" liquid