1. Earth’s Changing Atmosphere
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Earth’s Changing Atmosphere
the BIG idea
Earth’s atmosphere is a blanket of gases that supports and protects life.
15.1
Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
15.2
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
15.3
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
15.4
Human activities affect the atmosphere.
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2. Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
15.1
Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
The atmosphere is a thin layer surrounding Earth. Gases in the atmosphere provide substances essential for living things. Natural cycles and sudden changes affect the atmosphere.
atmosphere
altitude
density
cycle
Gases of Earth's Atmosphere
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3. 15.1 atmosphere Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
altitude
The outer layer of gases of a large body in space, such as a planet or star; the mixture of gases that surrounds the solid Earth; one of the four spheres of the Earth system.
density
cycle
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4. 15.1 altitude Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
The distance above sea level.
density
cycle
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5. 15.1 density Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
altitude
A measure of the amount of matter packed into a unit volume; the density of an object is equal to its mass divided by its volume.
density
cycle
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6. 15.1 cycle Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
altitude
n. A series of events or actions that repeat regularly; a continual physical and/or chemical process in which one material continually changes locations and/or forms, for example, the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and the rock cycle.
density
cycle
v. To move through a repeating series of events or actions.
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7. The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
15.2
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
Energy from the Sun moves through Earth's atmosphere in three ways.
radiation
conduction
Transfer of Energy
Radiation, conduction, and convection move energy from place to place.
convection
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8. The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
15.2
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
Energy from the Sun moves through Earth's atmosphere in three ways.
radiation
conduction
convection
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See radiation, conduction, and convection in action.
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9. The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
15.2
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
Density and temperature change with altitude. The layers, from top to bottom, are
radiation
conduction
• thermosphere
convection
• mesosphere
• stratosphere
• troposphere
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10. 15.2 radiation The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
conduction
convection
The transfer of energy across distances in the form of electromagnetic waves.
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11. 15.2 conduction The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
radiation
conduction
conduction
convection
The transfer of heat energy from one substance to another through direct contact without obvious motion.
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12. 15.2 convection The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
radiation
convection
conduction
convection
The transfer of energy from place to place by the motion of heated gas or liquid; in Earth’s mantle, convection is thought to transfer energy by the motion of solid rock, which when under great heat and pressure can move like a liquid.
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13. Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
15.3
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
Ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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14. Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
15.3
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
Greenhouse gases in the troposphere keep Earth warm by absorbing and emitting infrared radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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15. Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
15.3
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
Greenhouse gases in the troposphere keep Earth warm by absorbing and emitting infrared radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
VISUALIZATION
See how the greenhouse effect works.
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16. ultraviolet radiation
15.3
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
Radiation of higher frequencies than visible light, which can cause sunburn and other types of damage.
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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17. 15.3 infrared radiation Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
Radiation of lower frequencies than visible light.
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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18. 15.3 ozone Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
ozone
infrared radiation
ozone
A gas molecule that consists of three oxygen atoms.
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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19. 15.3 greenhouse effect Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
greenhouse effect
infrared radiation
ozone
A gas, such as carbon dioxide or methane, that absorbs and gives off infrared radiation as part of the greenhouse effect.
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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20. 15.3 greenhouse gas Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
greenhouse gas
infrared radiation
ozone
A gas, such as carbon dioxide or methane, that absorbs and gives off infrared radiation as part of the greenhouse effect.
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
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21. Human activities affect the atmosphere.
15.4
Human activities affect the atmosphere.
Human activities have added pollutants and ozone-destroying chemicals to the atmosphere.
air pollution
particulate
fossil fuel
Natural Sources
• dust, pollen, soil, salt
• volcanoes and forest fires:
gases and particles
Human Activities
• fossil fuels: gases and particles
• unburned fuels: smog
• manufacturing: gases and particles
• tractors/construction equipment:
dust and soil
• farming: fertilizers and pesticides
smog
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22. Human activities affect the atmosphere.
15.4
Human activities affect the atmosphere.
The amounts of greenhouse gases have been increasing and global temperatures are rising.
air pollution
particulate
fossil fuel
smog
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23. 15.4 air pollution Human activities affect the atmosphere.
particulate
fossil fuel
Harmful materials added to the air that can cause damage to living things and the environment.
smog
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24. 15.4 particulate Human activities affect the atmosphere.
air pollution
particulate
particulate
fossil fuel
A tiny particle or droplet, such as dust, dirt, or pollen, that is mixed in with air.
smog
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25. 15.4 fossil fuel Human activities affect the atmosphere.
air pollution
fossil fuel
particulate
fossil fuel
A fuel formed from the remains of prehistoric organisms that is burned for energy.
smog
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26. 15.4 smog Human activities affect the atmosphere.
air pollution
smog
particulate
fossil fuel
The combination of smoke and fog; a type of air pollution that occurs when sunlight causes unburnt fuels, fumes, and other gases to react chemically, often seen as a brownish haze.
smog
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27. 15.1 Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
I. Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
atmosphere
A. The atmosphere makes life on Earth possible.
altitude
1. Characteristics of the Atmosphere
density
2. Materials in the Atmosphere
cycle
B. Natural processes modify the atmosphere.
1. Ongoing Processes
2. Sudden Changes
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28. 15.2 The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
II. The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
radiation
A. Energy from the Sun heats the atmosphere.
conduction
B. The atmosphere moves energy.
convection
C. The atmosphere has temperature layers.
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29. 15.3 Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
III. Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
ultraviolet radiation
A. Gases can absorb and give off radiation.
infrared radiation
B. The ozone layer protects life from harmful radiation.
ozone
greenhouse effect
C. The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm.
greenhouse gas
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30. 15.4 Human activities affect the atmosphere.
IV. Human activities affect the atmosphere.
air pollution
A. Human activity can cause air pollution.
particulate
1. Types of Pollution
fossil fuel
2. Effects of Pollution
smog
3. Controlling Pollution
B. Human activities are increasing greenhouse
gases.
1. Sources of Greenhouse Gases
2. Global Warming
3. Reducing Greenhouse Gases
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C. Human activities produce chemicals that destroy the ozone layer.
KEY CONCEPT
SUMMARY

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See radiation, conduction, and convection in action.
VISUALIZATION
See how the greenhouse effect works.
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