Layers of the Atmosphere Week 3

Journal Entry 9/11 List the ways you think the Earth’s atmosphere is different from outer space.

Journal Entry 9/12 Explain what you think scientifically is happening in each pitcher. You may move to get a better look, but observe and then return to your seats. DO NOT TOUCH THE PITCHERS PLEASE!

Journal Entry 9/14 If the upper atmosphere is very thin, why do you think space vehicles heat up as they enter the atmosphere?

Atmosphere Atmosphere: a mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon.

Composition of the Atmosphere The atmosphere is made up of mostly nitrogen gas (78%) 21% of the atmosphere is oxygen. The other 1% is made up of argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases. Dust, volcanic ash, sea salt, dirt and smoke are also in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric Layers Using pages 40-45 fill out the provided chart.

Air Pressure Using the simulation we are going to determine how air pressure affects the layers of the atmosphere.

Air Pressure Air Pressure: the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface.

Air Pressure in the Layers Air pressure balances the force of gravity. As altitude increases, air pressure decreases because there are fewer gas molecules as you move away from the surface of the Earth.

Air Pressure and Weather Cyclones An area in the atmosphere that has lower pressure than the surrounding areas. Air masses converge; winds spiral toward the center

Air Pressure and Weather Anticyclones Areas where air moves apart or diverges and sinks. Sinking air is denser than surrounding air. Rotates in a direction opposite to Earth’s rotation.

Air Pressure and Weather Cyclones form clouds and rain when the rising air cools. Cyclones cause stormy weather. Anticyclones cause dry, clear weather because as the air sinks it gets warmer and absorbs moisture.

Density Density = mass/volume The amount of stuff in a given amount of space

Density and the Layers The densest layer will always sink to the bottom. What happened in the pitchers? Which atmospheric layer is the densest?

Density and the Layers Troposphere is the densest atmospheric layer. Why?

Model of the Atmosphere Now we are going to the football field.