1. Atmosphere

2. Earth Systems Geosphere All layers of the solid earth Hydrosphere
All earth’s water
Atmosphere
Outermost system
Mixture of gases and particles
Biosphere
All living things
Within all other systems
On land, water, and air

3. Atmosphere
A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth

4. Atmosphere Importance
Contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water necessary for life
Keeps Earth’s temperatures within a survivable range
Protects living things from Sun’s harmful rays
Protects Earth’s surface from being struck by meteors

5. Atmosphere
Origin
Gases from erupting volcanoes on early Earth emitted hot gases, gases formed atmosphere
Early atmosphere was mostly water vapor
As Earth cooled, water vapor condensed and fell in liquid form
Water cycle occurred for thousands of years
First organisms used photosynthesis, removing CO2 and giving off O2

6. Atmosphere Composition Gases Nitrogen=78% Oxygen=21% Other gases-
(water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide)=1%
Solids and Liquids
Dust, pollen, salt, volcanic ash
Water droplets, acids

7. Layers of the Atmosphere

8. Layers of the Atmosphere
Exosphere
Farthest from Earth’s surface
Pressure and density very low
Molecules can be pulled out to space

9. Layers of the Atmosphere
Mesosphere and Thermosphere
Thermosphere = 85 to 500 km above earth’s surface
Mesosphere = 50 to 85 km above earth’s surface
Meteors burn up in these layers
Contains ionosphere (Region that contains ions)
Reflect radio waves
Contains auroras (when ions from the Sun strike air molecules causing vivid colors)

10. Layers of the Atmosphere
Stratosphere
From 15 to about 50 km above earth’s surface
Lower half contains ozone layer
Ozone (O3) has three oxygen molecules
Absorbs Sun’s ultraviolet rays better to protect Earth
Temperatures increase as altitude increases

11. Layers of the Atmosphere
Troposphere
Closest to Earth’s surface
Reaches 8-15 km above Earth’s surface
Temperature decreases as you move away from earth
Warmth of sun creates weather

12. Altitude Air Pressure Gravity pulls atmosphere towards Earth
Pressure a column of air exerts on anything is air pressure
Air pressure greatest at surface of Earth because air molecules are closer
Higher altitudes=less dense air

13. (Due to energy from sun)
Altitude
Temperature
Layer of Atmosphere
Altitude
Temperature
Troposphere
Increasing ↑
Temp ↓
Stratosphere
Temp ↑
(Due to ozone)
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
(Due to energy from sun)

14. Altitude

15. Energy From the Sun Radiation
Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

16. Energy From the Sun Radiation Visible light Light you can see
Converted to thermal energy (heat)

17. Energy From the Sun Radiation Ultraviolet Light-UV Short wavelengths
Burns human skin
Causes skin cancer

18. Energy From the Sun Radiation Infrared Light-IR Longer wavelengths
Felt as warmth

19. Energy on Earth

20. Energy on Earth Absorption
20% of sun’s radiation absorbed by particles in atmosphere
50% of sun’s radiation absorbed by Earth’s surface
Reflection
25% of sun’s radiation is reflected by clouds and particles
5% of sun’s radiation is reflected by land and sea surfaces

21. Energy From the Sun Radiation Balance
Amount of radiation earth receives from sun is the same as the amount radiated back into the atmosphere

22. Energy From the Sun Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases=water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane
Gases in atmosphere let in sunlight
Gases trap some radiation and direct it back to earth
Radiation builds up on earth’s surface as thermal energy

23. Thermal Energy Transfer
Occur in the atmosphere
Water releases or absorbs thermal energy during phase changes

24. Thermal Energy Transfer
Radiation
Process by which energy from the Sun transfers to Earth

25. Thermal Energy Transfer
Conduction
Objects must be touching
Moves from higher energy to lower energy objects
EX: pot handle

26. Thermal Energy Transfer
Convection
Movement of particles within matter
EX: boiling water

27. Thermal Energy Transfer
Latent Heat
When water changes from one phase to another, heat is exchanged
Latent heat energy is transferred from Earth’s surface to atmosphere

28. Thermal Energy Transfer
Latent Heat

29. Convection Currents in Earth’s Atmosphere

30. Circulating Air Affects weather and climate around the world Stability
Whether circulating air motions are strong or weak
Unstable Air
Circulating motions are strong
May cause thunderstorms
Stable Air
Circulating motions are weak

31. Global Winds
Wind
The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
Global winds influence weather and climate

32. Global Winds Coriolis Effect
Earth’s rotation causes moving air and water to appear to move to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere

33. Global Winds

34. Local Winds Land Breeze Sea Breeze
A wind that blows from the land to the sea due to local temperature and pressure differences
Sea Breeze
A cool wind that blows from the sea to the land due to local temperature and pressure differences

35. Air Pollution
Contamination of air by harmful substances like gas and smoke

36. Air Pollution Point-Source Pollution Non Point-Source Pollution
Identifiable source of pollution
EX: smokestacks, volcanoes
Non Point-Source Pollution
Widespread area of pollution
EX: smog over a large city

37. Particulate Pollution
Air Pollution
Pollution Cause Effect
--Harms organisms in water
--Damages buildings made of stone
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide combine with moisture
Acid Precipitation
--Difficulty breathing
--Damages plant and animal tissues
--Reduces visibility
Car exhaust and sunlight create ground-level ozone
Smog
Particulate Pollution
--Asthma, bronchitis
--Heart attacks
--Creates haze
Mixture of dust, acid, and chemicals

38. Air Pollution Acid Precipitation
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide combine with moisture
--Harms organisms in water
--Damages buildings made of stone

39. Air Pollution Smog Car exhaust and sunlight create ground-level ozone
--Difficulty breathing
--Damages plant and animal tissues
--Reduces visibility

40. Particulate Pollution
Air Pollution
Particulate Pollution
Mixture of dust, acid, and chemicals
--Asthma, bronchitis
--Heart attacks
--Creates haze

41. Air Pollution