The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere

18.118.1

The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere

••Made up of mainly two Made up of mainly two gases:gases:––Nitrogen 78%Nitrogen 78%––Oxygen 21%Oxygen 21%––Trace Gases 1%Trace Gases 1%

Layers of the AtmosphereLayers of the Atmosphere••made up of 5 layers:made up of 5 layers:

––TroposphereTroposphere––StratosphereStratosphere––MesosphereMesosphere––IonosphereIonosphere––ThermosphereThermosphere

1. Troposphere1. Troposphere••The atmospheric layer we live in.The atmospheric layer we live in.•• Almost all weather occurs here. Almost all weather occurs here. •• Contains water vapor and oxygen.Contains water vapor and oxygen.••Highest density Highest density •• Temps decrease as you increase Temps decrease as you increase

altitude until you reach the top of the altitude until you reach the top of the layer called the layer called the tropopausetropopause..

TroposphereTroposphere••Within the troposphere a Within the troposphere a temperature inversiontemperature inversion may occur.may occur.

••This is a condition where warmer This is a condition where warmer air traps cooler air near the air traps cooler air near the EarthEarth’’s surface.s surface.

••This can cause air to get thick This can cause air to get thick with pollution, where it canwith pollution, where it can’’t t escape.escape.

Temperature InversionsTemperature Inversions

2. Stratosphere2. Stratosphere––Lacks OLacks O22 and water vapor. (no and water vapor. (no weather)weather)

––Contains the ozone (OContains the ozone (O33 ) layer. ) layer. (this layer absorbs solar UV radiation)(this layer absorbs solar UV radiation)

––Temperatures increase as you gain Temperatures increase as you gain altitude. altitude.

––Higher altitude than most aircraft Higher altitude than most aircraft would flywould fly

StratosphereStratosphere

3. Mesosphere3. Mesosphere––The coldest of layer of the The coldest of layer of the atmosphere. (atmosphere. (--808000C)C)

––Temperature decreases Temperature decreases with altitudewith altitude

4. Ionosphere4. Ionosphere••Consists of upper mesosphere and Consists of upper mesosphere and

lower thermosphere.lower thermosphere.•• Contains charged ions that reflect Contains charged ions that reflect

radio waves allowing transmissions to radio waves allowing transmissions to travel great distances.travel great distances.

••Radio waves will travel farther at Radio waves will travel farther at night than during the day. (less ions)night than during the day. (less ions)

••Where the aurora borealis can be Where the aurora borealis can be seen. (exited photons)seen. (exited photons)

Aurora Borealis Aurora Borealis –– Northern lightsNorthern lights

5. Thermosphere5. Thermosphere••Most outer layer.Most outer layer.••Hottest layer (980Hottest layer (98000C) C) ••temperatures will increase temperatures will increase with increase altitudewith increase altitude

••It absorbs solar radiationIt absorbs solar radiation

Early AtmosphereEarly Atmosphere••Early atmosphere was much Early atmosphere was much different during Earthdifferent during Earth’’s early s early days.days.

••Volcanic eruptions released HVolcanic eruptions released H 22 , , ammonia, methane. CO, COammonia, methane. CO, CO 22 and Nand N 22 . .

••No oxygen was presentNo oxygen was present

Changing AtmosphereChanging Atmosphere

••Around 2.5 billion years ago single Around 2.5 billion years ago single celled organisms evolved to capture celled organisms evolved to capture the suns energy and COthe suns energy and CO2 2 to start the to start the photosynthesisphotosynthesis processprocess

•• Then plants began appearing Then plants began appearing releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

Present AtmospherePresent Atmosphere•• 350 million years later aerobic 350 million years later aerobic

animals came along and balanced animals came along and balanced the atmosphere.the atmosphere.

•• They took in oxygen and released They took in oxygen and released carbon dioxide as a by product carbon dioxide as a by product during during respiration.respiration.

•• And thus the OAnd thus the O22 and COand CO22 cycle was cycle was createdcreated..

Carbon Dioxide/ Oxygen CycleCarbon Dioxide/ Oxygen Cycle

Our affect on the atmosphere.Our affect on the atmosphere. #1 Natural Stratosphere Ozone#1 Natural Stratosphere Ozone

•• Protects us from UV radiation.Protects us from UV radiation.•• Can be destroyed by Can be destroyed by

chlorofluorocarbons or CFCchlorofluorocarbons or CFC’’ss••Used during 1950s thru 1980s in Used during 1950s thru 1980s in

refrigerators and spray cans.refrigerators and spray cans.•• CFCs are now banned in most CFCs are now banned in most

countriescountries••Ozone layer is repairing itselfOzone layer is repairing itself

#2 Man#2 Man--made Ozonemade Ozone••Ozone while helpful in Ozone while helpful in stratosphere, is very toxic if stratosphere, is very toxic if trapped in the troposphere.trapped in the troposphere.

••Main gas pollutant from Main gas pollutant from cars, trucks, factories that cars, trucks, factories that causes smog.causes smog.

Ozone Issues:Ozone Issues:

Greenhouse effectGreenhouse effect••The process by which the The process by which the atmosphere traps some of the atmosphere traps some of the energy from the sun in the energy from the sun in the troposphere.troposphere.

••COCO 22 , water vapor, and other gases , water vapor, and other gases absorb the suns energy absorb the suns energy (greenhouse gases)(greenhouse gases)

••Keeps the planets climate Keeps the planets climate balancedbalanced

#3 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect#3 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect••We are adding more and more COWe are adding more and more CO22

and other greenhouse gases into the and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere:atmosphere:––Forest fires and volcanoesForest fires and volcanoes––Air Pollution from fossil fuel burningAir Pollution from fossil fuel burning––Increasing human populationIncreasing human population––Decrease in plant life and rain forestDecrease in plant life and rain forest––Increase of cattle grazingIncrease of cattle grazing

#4 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect#4 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect••The cause of global warming (climate The cause of global warming (climate

change)change)••We are experiencing a major shift in We are experiencing a major shift in

the balancing of the Earththe balancing of the Earth’’s climate.s climate.•• All species and ecosystems are feeling All species and ecosystems are feeling

the affects and there are many signs the affects and there are many signs that it is happening.that it is happening.

•• Still being debated whether manStill being debated whether man-- mademade

Signs of Climate Change:Signs of Climate Change: Increasing Land drying upIncreasing Land drying up

Increasing global temperaturesIncreasing global temperatures

Coral Reef Bleaching due to Coral Reef Bleaching due to increasing ocean temperaturesincreasing ocean temperatures

Endangering Animal SpeciesEndangering Animal Species

Melting Ice CapsMelting Ice Caps

Melting GlaciersMelting Glaciers

Rising Sea levelsRising Sea levels

Increasing Extreme Weather EventsIncreasing Extreme Weather Events

Are we not realizing the changes?Are we not realizing the changes?

The Problem of Not Taking Action:The Problem of Not Taking Action:

Not Much of a Debate:Not Much of a Debate:

Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORv8wwiadQ

A Political SatireA Political Satire

Water and WindWater and Wind

18.218.2

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle••The continuous movement The continuous movement of water from atmosphere of water from atmosphere to Earth and back.to Earth and back.

••4 mechanisms of travel4 mechanisms of travel

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle•• Water enters the atmosphere:Water enters the atmosphere:

1.1.EvaporationEvaporation•• Evaporation occurs at the lakes, Evaporation occurs at the lakes,

rivers, and oceans.rivers, and oceans.2.2.TranspirationTranspiration

••evaporation of water through evaporation of water through plantplant’’s leaves.s leaves.

TranspirationTranspiration

The Water CycleThe Water CycleWater Exits: Water Exits: 3.3. CondensationCondensation

•• Water vapor rises until it is cool enough Water vapor rises until it is cool enough to condense to form clouds.to condense to form clouds.

4.4. PrecipitationPrecipitation•• When the cloud become full of water When the cloud become full of water

droplets they will release moisture back droplets they will release moisture back down to Earth in the form of rain, sleet, down to Earth in the form of rain, sleet, ice, or snow.ice, or snow.

Condensation

Evaporation

Water VaporWater Vapor••Water vapor is always in the airWater vapor is always in the air•• HumidityHumidity

––The quantity/amount of water The quantity/amount of water vapor in the atmospherevapor in the atmosphere

•• Relative humidity (percentage)Relative humidity (percentage)––is the actual amount of water in the is the actual amount of water in the atmosphere compared to maximum atmosphere compared to maximum amount it can hold.amount it can hold.

•• The higher the temperature, the The higher the temperature, the more water that can be held in the more water that can be held in the air.air.

http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?aid=747804&item=317208

I hope this planet doesn’t haveany water

Dew PointDew Point••The temperature at which The temperature at which water vapor molecules start water vapor molecules start to form liquid water. to form liquid water.

••Higher the humidity the Higher the humidity the higher the dew point.higher the dew point.

CloudsClouds••Form from the rising of Form from the rising of warm water vapor in the warm water vapor in the troposphere.troposphere.

••Made up of tiny condensed Made up of tiny condensed droplets of liquid water.droplets of liquid water.

••3 main types3 main types

1. Cirrus Clouds1. Cirrus Clouds

••highest altitude cloudshighest altitude clouds••appear wispy and light.appear wispy and light.

Cirrus CloudsCirrus Clouds

2. Stratus Clouds2. Stratus Clouds••layered or sheet like cloudslayered or sheet like clouds••form at lower altitudes.form at lower altitudes.

Stratus CloudsStratus Clouds

3. Cumulus Clouds3. Cumulus Clouds

••white and fluffywhite and fluffy••appear at many levels. appear at many levels.

Cumulus CloudsCumulus Clouds

Other CloudsOther Clouds••Other clouds are a combination Other clouds are a combination of the 3 cloud types.of the 3 cloud types.

••The root nimbus means the The root nimbus means the cloud contains precipitation. cloud contains precipitation. (grayer color) (grayer color)

••Ex. cumulonimbus produce Ex. cumulonimbus produce thunderstorms thunderstorms

NimbostratusNimbostratus

CumulonimbusCumulonimbus

Air pressure Air pressure (Barometric Pressure)(Barometric Pressure)

••The pressure due to the weight The pressure due to the weight of the atmosphere.of the atmosphere.

••Measured with an instrument Measured with an instrument called a barometer. called a barometer.

••Air pressure decreases with Air pressure decreases with altitude in the tropospherealtitude in the troposphere

Mercury BarometerMercury Barometer

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Barometer_mercury_column_hg.jpg

WindWind••Caused by differences in air Caused by differences in air pressure between air masses. pressure between air masses.

••The greater the difference the The greater the difference the stronger the wind.stronger the wind.

••Air always flows from high Air always flows from high pressure to low pressurepressure to low pressure––Pressure inside a plane is greater, Pressure inside a plane is greater, so air would be sucked out if a so air would be sucked out if a window broke window broke

Cabin PressureCabin Pressure

Wind and the EarthWind and the Earth

••Coriolis effectCoriolis effect..the change in direction of the change in direction of an objectan object’’s path due to s path due to EarthEarth’’s rotation.s rotation.

Wind and the EarthWind and the Earth

••Winds in the Northern Winds in the Northern hemisphere curve right.hemisphere curve right.

•• Winds in the southern Winds in the southern hemisphere curve left.hemisphere curve left.

corioliscoriolis effecteffect

http://www.eoascientific.com/campus/earth/multimedia/coriolis/view_interactive

Weather and Weather and ClimateClimate

18.318.3

Weather Weather ••The condition of the atmosphere The condition of the atmosphere at any given timeat any given time

••Weather is caused by traveling Weather is caused by traveling air massesair masses..––Large bodies of air with the Large bodies of air with the same general characteristics same general characteristics throughout.throughout.

FrontsFronts••A boundary where two air A boundary where two air masses with different masses with different densities meet.densities meet.

••Fronts cause precipitation, Fronts cause precipitation, change in temperature, change in temperature, and a change in wind and a change in wind direction.direction.

Front TypesFront Types••Warm frontWarm front--warm air moves over warm air moves over cooler air forming clouds. cooler air forming clouds.

--Produces steady rain or Produces steady rain or snow for a couple of snow for a couple of days.days.

Front TypesFront Types

••Cold frontsCold fronts--Cold air moves under slow Cold air moves under slow moving warm air moving warm air

--Brings high winds, Brings high winds, thunderstorms, and thunderstorms, and possible tornadoes.possible tornadoes.

warm/cold frontswarm/cold fronts

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2002/es2002page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Weather Events Weather Events 1. Thunder Storms1. Thunder Storms

•• Lightening is caused by a build up of Lightening is caused by a build up of electrical charges from water droplets electrical charges from water droplets and ice crystals in clouds.and ice crystals in clouds.

••When opposite charges are found on When opposite charges are found on the ground or other clouds, lightening the ground or other clouds, lightening strikes.strikes.

•• Thunder is the sound of lightening.Thunder is the sound of lightening.

http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/images/lightening.gif

Thunder Storm SafetyThunder Storm Safety••If you count to 10 or less If you count to 10 or less after seeing lightening after seeing lightening before hearing thunder, before hearing thunder, then the storm is less than then the storm is less than two miles away.two miles away.

2. Tornadoes2. Tornadoes•• Form during severe thunderstorms. Form during severe thunderstorms. ••Form from cool air from the north, Form from cool air from the north, and warm air from south.and warm air from south.

•• Tornadoes begin as a funnel cloud that Tornadoes begin as a funnel cloud that intensifies until it touches groundintensifies until it touches ground

••Most violent winds on Earth 310mi/hrMost violent winds on Earth 310mi/hr••Most common in the MidwestMost common in the Midwest

3. Hurricanes3. Hurricanes••Very large storms with high winds.Very large storms with high winds.••Also known as cyclones and Also known as cyclones and typhoonstyphoons

••Form in the tropicsForm in the tropics••Created by rising warm water Created by rising warm water vapor from warm ocean water.vapor from warm ocean water.

••Then powered by the energy Then powered by the energy released from water vapor released from water vapor condensing into cloudscondensing into clouds

Weather mapsWeather maps••Produced by meteorologists to Produced by meteorologists to help forecast weather.help forecast weather.

••They use many variablesThey use many variables––Precipitation and cloud coverPrecipitation and cloud cover––Wind speedWind speed--Air pressure (isobars)Air pressure (isobars)––frontsfronts

ClimateClimate•• Average weather Average weather

condition condition over many over many years years for a particular for a particular region.region.

•• It is not measured day by It is not measured day by day. day.

Climate Affected By:Climate Affected By:1.1. Latitude (closeness to equator)Latitude (closeness to equator)

•• Angle at which the sun hits EarthAngle at which the sun hits Earth2.2. Cycling of seasons and season Length Cycling of seasons and season Length

•• The tilt of the earthThe tilt of the earth’’s axis as it travels a s axis as it travels a revolution around the sun is the reason revolution around the sun is the reason that we have seasons.that we have seasons.

3.3. Yearly rainfallYearly rainfall4.4. Topography (type of land)Topography (type of land)

•• Elevation, amount of water, mountains or Elevation, amount of water, mountains or flatnessflatness

The AtmosphereThe AtmosphereLayers of the AtmosphereSlide Number 41. TroposphereTroposphereTemperature Inversions2. StratosphereStratosphere3. MesosphereSlide Number 114. IonosphereSlide Number 13Aurora Borealis – Northern lights5. ThermosphereSlide Number 16Early AtmosphereSlide Number 18Changing AtmosphereSlide Number 20Present AtmosphereCarbon Dioxide/ Oxygen CycleOur affect on the atmosphere.�#1 Natural Stratosphere OzoneSlide Number 24Slide Number 25Slide Number 26Slide Number 27#2 Man-made OzoneOzone Issues:Slide Number 30Slide Number 31Greenhouse effectSlide Number 33#3 Enhanced Greenhouse EffectSlide Number 35Slide Number 36#4 Enhanced Greenhouse EffectSigns of Climate Change:�Increasing Land drying upIncreasing global temperaturesCoral Reef Bleaching due to increasing ocean temperaturesEndangering Animal SpeciesMelting Ice CapsSlide Number 43Melting GlaciersRising Sea levelsIncreasing Extreme Weather EventsAre we not realizing the changes?The Problem of Not Taking Action:Not Much of a Debate: Risk Assessment�A Political SatireWater and WindThe Water CycleThe Water CycleTranspirationThe Water CycleSlide Number 57Water VaporSlide Number 59Slide Number 60Dew PointSlide Number 62Clouds1. Cirrus CloudsCirrus Clouds2. Stratus CloudsStratus Clouds3. Cumulus CloudsCumulus CloudsOther CloudsSlide Number 71NimbostratusCumulonimbusAir pressure (Barometric Pressure)Mercury BarometerWindCabin PressureWind and the EarthWind and the EarthSlide Number 80coriolis effectWeather and ClimateWeather Slide Number 84FrontsSlide Number 86Front TypesSlide Number 88Front TypesSlide Number 90warm/cold frontsWeather Events 1. Thunder StormsSlide Number 93Slide Number 94Thunder Storm Safety2. TornadoesSlide Number 97Slide Number 98Slide Number 99Slide Number 1003. HurricanesSlide Number 102Slide Number 103Slide Number 104Slide Number 105Slide Number 106Weather mapsSlide Number 108Slide Number 109ClimateClimate Affected By: