Earth’s Atmosphere Standard Of Learning 6.6

Air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds. Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Other gases(1%) Water vapor in the air varies daily and therefore cannot be listed in any average amount. The Air You Breathe

Air Pressure Air exerts pressure on everything from all directions. Air pressure at sea level is greater than air pressure on a mountain top. http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/air_pressure/all_around.GIF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=play er_detailpage&v=jmQ8FWnM0fA Air density changes as pressure changes and is less at high altitudes than at lower altitudes. Air Density

Look at the chart for the atmospheric Layers: Use the resources provided to fill in the missing information. http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagram s/atmosphere/ Atmospheric Layers

The Troposphere The troposphere is the lowest level of the atmosphere. We live in the troposphere Most of the air found in our atmosphere is in the troposphere All weather takes place in the troposphere. The Troposphere

Forest fires and volcanic eruptions are two natural processes that affect Earth’s atmosphere. Many gaseous compounds and particles are released into the atmosphere by human activity. All of the effects of these materials are not yet fully understood. The amounts of thermal energy and water vapor and the pressure of the air largely determine what the weather conditions are. The Troposphere

Atmosphere and Weather The FRAME Routine Key Topic is about… Atmosphere and Weather Identifying the composition and physical characteristics of the atmosphere Layer Essential details Layer Essential details Layer Essential details Layer Essential details Layer Essential details troposphere stratosphere mesosphere thermosphere exosphere 75% of atmosphere 24% of atmosphere A few molecules Very few molecules He and H low density M 8 to 14.5 km 14.5 to50 km 50 to 85 Km 85 to 500 Km 500 to 800Km A Highest pressure Low pressure Lower pressure Very low pressure Extremely low pressure P Decreases with altitude Increases with altitude Decreases with altitude -93°C to 1,727°C 1,100°C to 270°C T Weather occurs here, life exists here, contains water vapor. Meteoroids burn up here ionosphere: Auroras over the poles Satellites, telescopes orbit here D Ozone layer, dry less dense So What? (What’s important to understand about this?) The atmosphere protects the planet and allows life to exist. Understanding the atmosphere relates to understanding temperature and pressure.

Temperature Inversion Under normal conditions harmful gasses like Automobile exhaust, smoke, ozone and other pollutants are allowed to dissipate up into the air currents high in the troposphere. A temperature inversion like the one on the previous slide does not allow this to happen and can cause major problems for people with breathing problems like asthma and other lung diseases. Temperature Inversion

Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Greenhouse Effect: What is it? Ozone: What is it? The greenhouse effect is the process where heat does not escape earth’s atmosphere. Gasses like Carbon Dioxide, water vapor and other pollutants trap this heat and cause the Earth to be warmer than normal. Ozone is an oxygen molecule with three oxygen atoms bonded together. O2 Ozone in the lower atmosphere is harmful. Ozone in the upper atmosphere is helpful in filtering out harmful ultraviolet rays. Greenhouse Effect and Ozone

http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com/sites/default/files/styles/banner/public/banner-goodvbad-ozone.jpg

Clouds Clouds are indicators of atmospheric conditions. The three main types of clouds are cumulus, stratus, cirrus. Clouds http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/47/Misc_clouds_santa_clarita.JPG

Look at this symbol Interpreting Data This symbol gives lots of Information: What is the temperature at this station? What is the wind speed? Which way is the wind blowing? What is the air pressure? What percent of the sky is covered by clouds? What type of precipitation, if any, is falling?   Look at this symbol

Bluefield Daily Telegraph Weather Maps Complete the questions using the weather map from the Newspaper. Answer as many as you can in the time we have left. Bluefield Daily Telegraph Weather Maps

Air Masses and Weather Maritime Polar: Cold and moist Maritime Tropical: Warm and moist Continental Polar: Cold and dry Continental Tropical: Warm and dry Air Masses and Weather

North American Weather Our Weather is affected and driven by the air masses that carry a specific temperature and humidity toward and over the country. These air masses are driven and determined by the global winds, jet streams and the land or water areas where they originate. North American Weather