Atmosphere

Essential Question How does the structure and composition of the atmosphere affect the distribution of resources?

The thin layer of gases that surround the earth. Atmosphere The thin layer of gases that surround the earth.

Ok, what gases? Nitrogen – 78% Oxygen – 21% Other – 1% Argon – 0.9% CO2 – 0.036% CH4 – 0.00017% NOx – 0.00003% O3 – 0.000004%

What else is up there? Particulate Matter Aerosols Tiny particles of dust, soil, salt, ash, skin, hair, pollen, combustion byproducts, bacteria and viruses Aerosols Tiny droplets of liquid

Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere Closest to surface Up to 18km (10mi) All weather occurs in the troposphere Densest layer 90% of atmospheric gases Temp decreases as altitude increases (-51oC, -60oF) Tropopause Boundary between troposphere and stratosphere

Stratosphere It ain’t just a casino in Vegas! 18km-50km (31mi) But the one in Vegas is really cool too! 18km-50km (31mi) Ozone Layer UV Airplanes Temperature increases as altitude increases (-15oC, 5oF) Ozone traps UV which warms the air Stratopause Boundary between stratosphere and mesosphere

Before we leave the Stratosphere Who was the first person to break the sound barrier? Nope, Joseph Kittinger Project Excelsior 76,400 ft. 102,800 ft. 4 ½ minute freefall

Mesosphere 50km-80km (53mi) Temperature decreases as you gain altitude Coldest layer of atmosphere (-120oC, -184oF) Meteorites Mesopause Boundary between the mesosphere and thermosphere Sprites

Thermosphere 80km-550km (430mi) Temperature increases as altitude increases 2,000oC, 3,600oF Aurora Ionosphere Thermopause Boundary between the thermosphere and exosphere

Exosphere 10,000km, 6,200mi Gases escape into space Space shuttle Most satellites Temperature decreases as altitude increases

Solar Radiation Where does heat come from? Radiation Conduction The transfer of energy across space Campfire Conduction The flow of energy from a warm object to a colder object Convection The transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid

Electromagnetic Spectrum