PowerPoint PresentationSection 2 Atmospheric Heating
Section 4 Air Pollution
Bellringer
List the ways that the atmosphere is different from outer
space.
Write your list in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Explain how air temperature changes with atmospheric
composition.
Describe the layers of the atmosphere.
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Chapter 6
C. It has mass.
D. It exerts pressure.
E. It expands when heated and contracts when cooled.
F. Hot air is less dense than cold air so hot air will weigh less
than cold air.
G. Air has velocity.
The Composition of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is made up mostly of nitrogen gas. Oxygen makes up a
little more than 20% of the atmosphere. Water in the form of a gas
called water vapor along with tiny particles such as dirt, salt
from the oceans, and ash from volcanoes make up part of the
remaining atmosphere.
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Chapter 6
Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature
The atmosphere is held around the Earth by gravity. Gravity pulls
gas molecules in the atmosphere toward the Earth’s surface, causing
air pressure, which is the measure of the force with which air
molecules push on a surface.
As altitude increases, air pressure decreases.
Air temperature changes as altitude increases. Depending on the
amount of gases that absorb solar energy, the temperature can
increase or decrease in the layers of the atmosphere. When a gas
absorbs energy from the sun, the air temperature goes up.
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Chapter 6
There are four main layers of the atmosphere.
The divisions between the layers are based on how each layer’s
temperature changes with height.
The Troposphere: The Layer in Which We Live
The lowest layer of the atmosphere,
lies next to the Earth’s surface
Weather occurs in this layer
Densest layer of the atmosphere
Both air temperature and air pressure decrease as you move higher
in this layer
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Chapter 6
The atmospheric layer above the troposphere
The gases in this layer do not mix, they are layered
Temperature increase due to ozone which absorbs energy from the sun
(ultraviolet energy)
Pressure decreases
the middle layer of the atmosphere.
It is the coldest layer.
Temperature decreases
Pressure decreases
Chapter 6
The uppermost atmospheric layer
In the upper mesosphere and the lower thermosphere
nitrogen and oxygen atoms absorb harmful solar energy.
Auroras occur
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Bellringer
Chapter 6
Explain the relationship between the greenhouse effect and global
warming.
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
The Earth receives energy from the sun by radiation.
Radiation is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves.
Not all of the radiation from the sun reaches Earth’s surface. Much
of it gets absorbed by the atmosphere.
As solar energy is absorbed by air, water, and land, it turns into
heat energy. This energy causes winds, the water cycle, ocean
currents, and changes in the weather.
Some of the radiation is scattered and reflected by clouds and
gases.
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Conduction: Energy Transfer by Contact
Thermal conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through a
material.
It is always transferred from warm to cold areas.
Convection: Energy Transfer by Circulation
Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or
movement of a liquid or gas.
As air warms it becomes less dense and rises. As air cools, it
becomes more dense and sinks. This cycle of warm air rising and
cool air sinking causes a circular movement of air called a
convection current.
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
The Greenhouse Effect and Life on Earth
Earth’s atmosphere acts like the walls of a greenhouse which allow
solar energy to enter but prevents thermal energy from
escaping.
Sunlight travels through the atmosphere easily, but heat does
not.
Gases in the atmosphere absorb heat energy coming from Earth then
radiate it back to Earth’s surface warming the planet.
This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
The Radiation Balance: Energy In, Energy Out
The amount of energy Earth receives and the amount of energy
returned to space must be approximately equal.
Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming
Some scientists think that an increase of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere may be the cause of global warming.
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Bellringer
Write a poem about moving air. The poem should include an
explanation of why air moves.
Record your response in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Describe global wind patterns.
Chapter 6
Why Air Moves
Air Rises at the Equator and Sinks at the Poles As the cold air
sinks, it creates areas of high pressure around the poles. This
cold polar air then flows toward the equator.
Pressure Belts Are Found Every 30º Convection cells are separated
by pressure belts, bands of high and low pressure.
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Why Air Moves, continued
The Coriolis Effect The apparent curving of the path of currents
due to the Earth’s rotation is called the Coriolis effect.
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Global Winds
Polar Easterlies are the wind belts that extend from the poles to
60° latitude in both hemispheres.
Westerlies are the wind belts found between 30° and 60° latitude in
both hemispheres.
Trade Winds are the winds that blow from 30° latitude almost to the
equator in both hemispheres.
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Global Winds, continued
The Doldrums The trade winds of the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres meet in an area around the equator called the
doldrums.
The Horse Latitudes At about 30° north and 30° south latitude,
sinking air creates an area of high pressure called the horse
latitudes.
Jet Streams are narrow belts of high-speed winds that blow in the
upper troposphere and lower stratosphere.
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Local Winds
Local winds generally move short distances and can blow from any
direction.
Mountain and valley breezes are examples of local winds caused by
an area’s geography.
Sea and land breezes are affected by temperature.
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Bellringer
Examine the filter mask. Make a list of three situations in which
one might wear such a mask.
Write your answers in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Explain the effects of the ozone hole.
List five effects of air pollution on the human body.
Identify ways to reduce air pollution.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Chapter 6
Primary Pollutants
Pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or natural
activity are primary pollutants.
Primary pollutants from human sources include carbon monoxide,
dust, smoke, and chemicals from paint and other substances.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Chapter 6
Secondary Pollutants
Pollutants that form when primary pollutants react with other
primary pollutants or with naturally occurring substances, such as
water vapor, are secondary pollutants.
Smog is a secondary pollutant that forms when ozone and vehicle
exhaust react with sunlight, as shown in the next slide.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Sources of Human-Caused Air Pollution
Industrial Air Pollution Many industrial plants and electric power
plants burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce energy. Burning
some types of coal without pollution controls can release large
amounts of air pollution.
Indoor Air Pollution Sometimes, the air inside a building can be
more polluted than the air outside. Sources of indoor air pollution
are shown on the next slide.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Chapter 6
Acid Precipitation
Rain, sleet or snow that contains a high concentration of acids is
called acid precipitation.
Acid Precipitation and Plants Acid precipitation can cause the
acidity of soil to increase. This process, called acidification,
changes the balance of a soil’s chemistry and negatively affects
plants.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Acid Precipitation, continued
The Effects of Acid Precipitation on Forests In some areas of the
world, acid precipitation has damaged large areas of forest.
Acid Precipitation and Aquatic Ecosystems If acid precipitation
increases the acidity of a lake or stream, aquatic plants, fish,
and other aquatic organisms may die.
Section 4 Air Pollution
The Ozone Hole
The Earth’s protective ozone layer is thinning over the Arctic and
Antarctic regions. These ozone holes allow more UV radiation, which
damages genes and can cause skin cancer, to reach the earth’s
surface.
Cooperation to Reduce the Ozone Hole In 1987, many nations agreed
to reduce the use of CFCs, the chemicals that cause ozone
depletion. Because CFCs remain active for 60 to 120 years, however,
it will take many years for the ozone layer to recover.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Visual Concept
Air Pollution and Human Health
Short-Term Effects of air pollution, such as coughing, headaches,
and eye irritation can be avoided by staying indoors on days when
the air quality is poor.
Long-Term Effects of air pollution, such as lung cancer, are
particularly dangerous because they may not be noticed until many
years after exposure.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Cleaning up Air Pollution
The EPA sets air quality standards to protect against the effects
of air pollution on human health as well as on crops, vegetation,
and buildings.
Controlling Air Pollution from Industry The Clean Air Act requires
many industries to use pollution-control devices.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Reducing Air Pollution
The Allowance Trading System Companies are fined for exceeding
limits and rewarded for low emissions.
Reducing Motor Vehicle Emissions The EPA requires car makers to
meet a certain standard for vehicle exhaust. New technology to
reduce emissions is under development.
People can make choices to reduce air pollution, such as
car-pooling and conserving electricity.
Section 4 Air Pollution
Chapter 6
The Atmosphere
Concept Mapping
Use the terms below to complete the concept map on the next
slide.
radiation nitrogen
pressure troposphere
mesosphere oxygen
atmosphere thermosphere
Chapter 6
The Atmosphere
Chapter 6
The Atmosphere