1. 1. What variables are displayed in this data presentation?
DATE: Friday, April 27, 2012 SWBAT: describe the composition and layers of Earth’s atmosphere HOMEWORK: none CATALYST: April 16-April 27
1. What variables are displayed in this data presentation?
2. What category would you be in if you had a temperature of
-40C and an altitude of 55 km?
3. What happens to temperature as height increases in the mesosphere?
Temperature, Height, Atmospheric Layer
Mesosphere
Temperature decreases

2. What is the Atmosphere? =layer of gases that surrounds Earth (air)
consists of a mixture of chemical elements and compounds
protects Earth’s surface from the Sun’s radiation
helps regulate the temperature of Earth’s surface

3. Flash Back!!!
What force keeps the air molecules surrounding our planet? GRAVITY

4. What’s in Earth’s Atmosphere?
 Most common elements:
Nitrogen (N2) – 78%
Oxygen (O2) – 21%
Argon (Ar) (0.9%)
 Most common compounds:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Water Vapor (H2O)
Also contains various kinds of tiny soil
particles, such as dust and pollen.

5. What are the Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere?
Troposphere: 0-12 km
Stratosphere: 12 km-50 km
Mesosphere: 50 km-80 km
Thermosphere: 80 km-~500 km
Exosphere: ~500 km-1,000s km

6. Read pages in your textbook to take notes on the five different layers. Specifically look to describe the characteristics of each layer.