LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE NC Essential Standard: Compare the composition, properties, and structure of Earth’s atmosphere to include: mixtures of gases and differences in temperatures and pressure within layers.

There are 5 layers of the atmosphere.

SUN * Source of all of the energy on Earth. * Energy from the sun must pass through the atmosphere before it hits the surface.

Different Temperatures * Different layers of the atmosphere have different temperatures, because some layers contain gases that absorb energy and others do not. * Which layer contains 90% of all the gases? The bottom layer, the TROPOSPHERE

TROPOSPHERE All weather and the air you breathe! The lowest and most important layer.

TROPOSPHERE Temperature is highest at the surface of the earth and decreases with altitude. High altitude, colder temperatures Low altitude, warmer temperatures

Earth’s surface is the source of heat. TROPOSPHERE Earth’s surface is the source of heat. Rock, soil, and water absorbs the Sun’s light and radiates it back as heat. The greater density of gases due to gravity causes the temperature to rise.

TROPOSPHERE Usually, warm air sits below cooler air. Sometimes there is an INVERSION and cold air sits below warm air.

STRATOSPHERE Layer above the troposphere Temperature increases with altitude (Sun) Thinking Question!!! How is this different from the altitude-temperature relationship in the troposphere? The pressure is so low that liquids would boil at normal body temperature.

STRATOSPHERE Air is stable because warmer, less dense air sits over cooler, denser air. Stop to Draw!

Out of the troposphere and into the stratosphere. The pilot says, “We are no at our cruising altitude of 30,000 feet.” Why do planes fly so high in the air? Out of the troposphere and into the stratosphere. Fuel costs are lower because there is less friction due to the lower air density…there’s also less turbulence.

* Inside the Stratosphere. * Ozone gas absorbs harmful UV radiation! The Ozone (O3) Layer * Inside the Stratosphere. * Ozone gas absorbs harmful UV radiation!

Ozone Layer Depletion * Man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were used a lot in the past to keep things cold and to make foam and soaps… * But CFCs break apart (destroy) ozone molecules.

MESOSPHERE Third Temperature decreases with altitude (heat is from the stratosphere) Extremely low density of molecules

Your blood would boil without a space suit! MESOSPHERE The pressure is so low that liquids would boil at normal body temperature. Your blood would boil without a space suit!

MESOSPHERE Thinking Question! If pressure decreases with altitude…and your blood would boil in the mesosphere…. Does water boil faster in the mountains or at sea level? Answer: The Mountains

THERMOSPHERE Fourth layer of atmosphere from the surface of the earth. Very low density of molecules Mysteries of the Sun: Ionosphere, Thermosphere, and Mesosphere

(500 km to outer space) Last layer of the atmosphere. EXOSPHERE (500 km to outer space) Last layer of the atmosphere.