The Atmosphere Thin layer of gases that surrounds Earth. Makes Earth a livable environment. The Atmosphere http://dangerousintersection.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/thin-earth-atmosphere-nasa-photo-300x293.jpg

Climatology The study of the climate, and those factors that affect it over time. .

Meteorology The study of the atmosphere, and in particular its effect on weather.

Weather The condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Weather patterns over a long period of time (30 years or longer) Climate The average, year after year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area Weather patterns over a long period of time (30 years or longer)

What’s in the air around you?

Composition of the dry Atmosphere Oxygen 1 % Other: argon (.93%), CO2(.037%), neon, helium, methane, krypton and hydrogen Nitrogen

Why is our atmosphere so important? Provides nitrogen for all living things Protects life from bombardment and radiation Allows water to exist as a liquid Provides oxygen for respiration

Atmosphere developed as volcanoes emitted gases Atmosphere developed as volcanoes emitted gases. O2 began to accumulate about 2.5 BYA.

Nitrogen Most abundant gas in the atmosphere. Essential for living things Needed for growth and body repair.

Oxygen 2nd most abundant gas in the atmosphere. Needed for respiration and combustion Ozone - a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms per molecule instead of two.

Ozone is concentrated in a layer 10-50 km above the earth. Ozone absorbs large amounts (but not all) of ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on the planet.

Carbon Dioxide 1 carbon, 2 oxygen Plants use it to produce food Animals give it off as a waste product Excess CO2 caused by burning fuels

Other Gases Called trace gases because only small amounts of them are present Of the “other” gases, argon is by far the most abundant, then carbon dioxide

Variable Components Water Vapor (Variable – changeable Components – parts) Water Vapor Water in the form of gas in the air. 0-4% Absorbs heat from Earth and Sun Absorbs heat from Earth and Sun

Particles Tiny, solid and liquid particles of dust, smoke, salt, and other chemicals. Some you can see, but most of the time they’re too small to be seen.