Earth’s Atmosphere Investigation 2, Part 2 Where’s the Air? TG P.76-77 Earth’s Atmosphere Investigation 2, Part 2

Earth from Space Turn to pg 8 Larger photo taken by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972 The upper image taken by Space Shuttle astronauts. Shows only a small portion of Earth W&W Resource Book- P.8

Can you see the atmosphere? Where? Atmosphere TG-P.78 Resource Book- P.8 Can you see the atmosphere? No

Why can’t you see the atmosphere? So thin it is not visible from far away TG-P.78 Resource Book- P.8

What objects can you see in the atmosphere? Can you see the atmosphere in the image of Earth taken from the shuttle? Yes, it is white, orange layer above Earth’s surface TG-P.78 Resource Book- P.8 Clouds What objects can you see in the atmosphere?

A layer of air surrounding the Earth Atmosphere A layer of air surrounding the Earth Between Earth’s surface and the vastness of space TG-P.78 Resource Book- P.8 We live at the bottom of the atmosphere called troposphere.

Layers of the Atmosphere Based on the properties of the atmosphere TG-P.78 Atmosphere Poster

Layers of the Atmosphere Stratosphere Ozone layer is found here Troposphere Lowest layer Most of the air Contains 85% of the air Weather occurs Represents 2% of height Most complex part of the atmosphere TG-P.78 Atmosphere Poster

Layers of the Atmosphere Thermosphere Not much is known There isn’t much air found in this layer Mesosphere Layer where meteors burn up to create shooting stars TG-P.78 Atmosphere Poster

Layers of the Atmosphere Exosphere Farthest layer from Earth Thick layer Contains very little air Transition between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space TG-P.78 Atmosphere Poster

Elevator to Space View the program and see what happens as you move through the atmosphere. TG-P.79 CD-ROM- Elevator to Space

Thin Blue Veil Reading Read starting on p. 8, “The Thin Blue Veil”. When finished, answer the questions on p. 5 of your lab book. TG-P.79 Resource Book-P.8 Student Lab Notebook P 5

Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers What is the atmosphere? The layer of gases (air) surrounding Earth. Describe how the amount of air changes as you travel up through the Earth’s atmosphere? Air gets thinner There is less and less air TG-P.79-80 Resource Book-P.8 Student Lab Notebook P 5 Transparency Master P 321 Teacher Answer Master- p.377-378

Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers Describe how the composition of gases change as you travel up through Earth’s atmosphere? Nitrogen and oxygen stay pretty much the same Carbon Dioxide, water vapor, and methane are found only in the troposphere TG-P.79-80 Resource Book-P.8 Student Lab Notebook P 5 Transparency Master P 321 Teacher Answer Master- p.377-378

Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers Describe how the temperature changes as you travel up through the atmosphere? Temperature generally decreases as altitude increases TG-P.79-80 Resource Book-P.8 Student Lab Notebook P 5 Transparency Master P 321 Teacher Answer Master- p.377-378

Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers What layer of the atmosphere do you think is of greatest interest to meteorologists? Why do you think so? Troposphere This is where the clouds, wind, rain, and other weather occur TG-P.79-80 Resource Book-P.8 Student Lab Notebook P 5 Transparency Master P 321 Teacher Answer Master- p.377-378

Thin Blue Veil Reading Answers What gases are found in the atmosphere? Nitrogen Oxygen Carbon dioxide Water vapor Hydrogen Helium Argon Methane What gases are only found in the troposphere? Carbon dioxide Water vapor Methane TG-P.79-80 Resource Book-P.8 Student Lab Notebook P 5 Transparency Master P 321 Teacher Answer Master- p.377-378

What did you learn? Draw an advanced graph to represent km above sea level with temperatures that range from -105ºC to 150ºC. Represent the layers of atmosphere with the above factors and draw items you might expect to find there.

Reading & Math Extension Read history of temperature Read how to convert from C to F and/or F to C Convert C to F Check by converting back from F to C Check with online conversion tool