At 1 1.1ppt The Air Around You W&C Chapter 1.1 Pages 14-19

What is Meteorology? The study of weather and the atmosphere Weather: the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Earth’s Atmosphere Atmosphere is from two Greek words: Atmos and sphaira. It makes conditions on the Earth suitable for living things Contains oxygen and other gases living things need. Is constantly changing.

Earth’s Atmosphere The atmosphere helps keep the planet warm Allows for liquid water Protects from dangerous radiation Burns up chunks of rocks (meteoroids) from space (meteors).

Composition of Atmosphere Atoms - the smallest unit of an element that can exist in itself Molecules - formed by two or more atoms (elements) Molecules combine to form Gases.

Composition of Atmosphere The Air You Breathe 1% 21% 78%

Exit Pass Give up to 3 reasons why the atmosphere is important. What are the 2 primary gases that our atmosphere is made of?

What gas makes up the majority of Earth’s atmosphere? A. Oxygen (O2) B. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) C. Nitrogen (N2) D. Ozone (O3)

Nitrogen Most abundant gas in the atmosphere One nitrogen molecule contains 2 nitrogen atoms, N2 All living organisms need nitrogen in order to grow and repair body cells.

Nitrogen Nitrogen fixation (the “nitrogen cycle”)must occur to convert N2 into a form that plants can use (Nitrates) Plants absorb the nitrogen from the soil Animals eat the plants.

Oxygen The second most abundant gas, O2 Oxygen is an important ingredient in the combustion process (fire) Burning uses oxygen rapidly Oxygen reacts slowly with metal objects to produce rust Ozone is made of triple oxygen atoms, O3 Ozone Layer in Stratosphere Ozone Hole

Carbon Dioxide One molecule has one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen Essential to life Plants must use CO2 to produce oxygen. Animals give off CO2 as a waste product.

Carbon Dioxide Fossil fuels increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere Earth’s temperature rises as a result.

Other (Trace) Gases Nitrogen and Oxygen make up 99% of the gases in the atmosphere Argon and Carbon dioxide make up most of the remaining 1% (trace gases) Other Gasses Percent by Volume Argon 0.93 Carbon Dioxide 0.036 Neon 0.0018 Helium 0.00052 Methane 0.00015 Krypton 0.00011 Hydrogen 0.00005

Meteorology is the study of… A. Meteors B. Weather C. Precipitation D. Atmosphere & Weather

H2O in the gas state is called… A. Ice B. Water Vapor C. Plasma D. Mist

Water Vapor Water in the form of a gas Varies from place to place. It is invisible, not the same thing as steam Varies from place to place. Desert, Polar Ice Caps have almost no water vapor Tropical Rain Forest 5% of the air may be water vapor.

Water Vapor Forms Clouds when water condenses on particles in the air Creates Precipitation: the falling of rain, snow, sleet, or hail Mist & Fog? Though water vapor, they are Suspended; not precipitation.

Particles Real world air contains tiny solid and liquid particles of: Dust Smoke Salt Other chemicals.

Exit Pass What is the significance of the 2 primary gases in the atmosphere? (Why are they important?) What role does Water Vapor play in our atmosphere?

What to Work On Visit http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning In the “Learning” tab, AS A GROUP, choose either “Science” (to read about weather forecasting) or “Learn About the Weather” Let Mr. A know what topic you choose, then research it and gather the following: A summary of your topic. What are the crucial details? Five (5) interesting facts Why is this topic good to know about?

What to Work On DUE: - Read Section 1.1 (pages 14-17) in the textbook Answer the Section Review questions (#’s 1-4) on page 17. DUE: -