Earth’s Atmosphere

How our atmosphere evolved I. The early atmosphere did not support life. It contained deadly gases such as Methane and Ammonia. There was very little Oxygen. II. Over time, gases were added to the atmosphere by volcanic eruptions, and as a result of chemical reactions due to sunlight.

How our atmosphere evolved cont. III. The OZONE LAYER formed as a result of the chemical reactions. Ozone is made of three oxygen atoms bonded together. It blocks out ultraviolet radiation from the sun. IV. The formation of the ozone layer allowed MICRO-ORGANISMS such as Blue-Green Algae to appear on earth. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, so the amount of OXYGEN in the atmosphere steadily increased.

How our atmosphere evolved continued… V. Stromatolites were some of the early organisms that used Photosynthesis to convert CO2 into Oxygen. They still exist today and have survived 5 mass extinctions!

Today’s atmosphere

Layers of the Atmosphere

Basis for Layers Layers are based on TEMPERATURE CHANGE within the layer. As you move up through the troposphere, temperature decreases. As you move up through stratosphere, temperature increases. As you move up through the mesosphere, temperature decreases As you move up through the thermosphere, temperature increases.

Characteristics of layers Troposphere: Contains Convection Currents created by the sun’s heat which cause most of our weather Stratosphere: Contains the Ozone Layer. prevents some ultraviolet radiation UV light from reaching Earth’s surface, also where airplanes fly. Mesosphere: Meteors burn up when they hit this layer. Thermosphere: Divided into Ionosphere and Exosphere. Satellites & Radio waves travel in this layer. This is the hottest layer

Thermosphere has 2 parts: Ionosphere: Lower Thermosphere. Contains electrically charged particles due to absorption of ultraviolet radiation and X-rays that are given off by the sun. Aurora Borealis can be seen in this layer. Radio waves travel easily in this layer. Exosphere: Upper thermosphere. Air is extremely thin. Satellites travel here because there is very little friction with air.

Aurora Borealis  A glow in the night sky produced in the upper atmosphere by ionized particles from the solar wind interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.

Transfer of Heat Heat can move in three ways: 1- Conduction: Heat is transferred through direct contact. 2- Convection: Heat is transferred by a hot fluid (gas or liquid) circulating or moving. 3- Radiation: Heat is transferred by electromagnetic waves.

                                   If a metal cooking fork is left in the fire long enough, eventually the end we are holding will become too hot for us to handle. Heat was transferred from the flames in the campfire to the metal fork, and then from molecule to molecule in the fork until it reaches our fingers via conduction. .

What is Convection?  Density differences in temperatures cause heat to rise and cool to sink, this applies to gasses and liquids Examples: Heated water becomes less dense and rises, Boiling water Hot air expands and is less dense hot air balloon

Imagine standing in front of a camp fire and holding out your hands in front of you…what do you feel? Warmth as your hands absorb the radiation coming from the fire.

Heat moves into our atmosphere through SOLAR RADIATION (Insolation)

Heat moves throughout (within) our atmosphere in CONVECTION CURRENTS

Heat Transfer Quiz: Identify the type of Heat Transfer C B A A = Radiation B = Convection C = Conduction