Atmosphere

Earth Systems Geosphere All layers of the solid earth Hydrosphere All earth’s water Atmosphere Outermost system Mixture of gases and particles Biosphere All living things Within all other systems On land, water, and air

Atmosphere A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth

Atmosphere Importance Contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water necessary for life Keeps Earth’s temperatures within a survivable range Protects living things from Sun’s harmful rays Protects Earth’s surface from being struck by meteors

Atmosphere Origin Gases from erupting volcanoes on early Earth emitted hot gases, gases formed atmosphere Early atmosphere was mostly water vapor As Earth cooled, water vapor condensed and fell in liquid form Water cycle occurred for thousands of years First organisms used photosynthesis, removing CO2 and giving off O2

Atmosphere Composition Gases Nitrogen=78% Oxygen=21% Other gases- (water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide)=1% Solids and Liquids Dust, pollen, salt, volcanic ash Water droplets, acids

Layers of the Atmosphere

Layers of the Atmosphere Exosphere Farthest from Earth’s surface Pressure and density very low Molecules can be pulled out to space

Layers of the Atmosphere Mesosphere and Thermosphere Thermosphere = 85 to 500 km above earth’s surface Mesosphere = 50 to 85 km above earth’s surface Meteors burn up in these layers Contains ionosphere (Region that contains ions) Reflect radio waves Contains auroras (when ions from the Sun strike air molecules causing vivid colors)

Layers of the Atmosphere Stratosphere From 15 to about 50 km above earth’s surface Lower half contains ozone layer Ozone (O3) has three oxygen molecules Absorbs Sun’s ultraviolet rays better to protect Earth Temperatures increase as altitude increases

Layers of the Atmosphere Troposphere Closest to Earth’s surface Reaches 8-15 km above Earth’s surface Temperature decreases as you move away from earth Warmth of sun creates weather

Altitude Air Pressure Gravity pulls atmosphere towards Earth Pressure a column of air exerts on anything is air pressure Air pressure greatest at surface of Earth because air molecules are closer Higher altitudes=less dense air

(Due to energy from sun) Altitude Temperature Layer of Atmosphere Altitude Temperature Troposphere Increasing ↑ Temp ↓ Stratosphere Temp ↑ (Due to ozone) Mesosphere Thermosphere Exosphere (Due to energy from sun)

Altitude

Energy From the Sun Radiation Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

Energy From the Sun Radiation Visible light Light you can see Converted to thermal energy (heat)

Energy From the Sun Radiation Ultraviolet Light-UV Short wavelengths Burns human skin Causes skin cancer

Energy From the Sun Radiation Infrared Light-IR Longer wavelengths Felt as warmth

Energy on Earth

Energy on Earth Absorption 20% of sun’s radiation absorbed by particles in atmosphere 50% of sun’s radiation absorbed by Earth’s surface Reflection 25% of sun’s radiation is reflected by clouds and particles 5% of sun’s radiation is reflected by land and sea surfaces

Energy From the Sun Radiation Balance Amount of radiation earth receives from sun is the same as the amount radiated back into the atmosphere

Energy From the Sun Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse gases=water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane Gases in atmosphere let in sunlight Gases trap some radiation and direct it back to earth Radiation builds up on earth’s surface as thermal energy

Thermal Energy Transfer Occur in the atmosphere Water releases or absorbs thermal energy during phase changes

Thermal Energy Transfer Radiation Process by which energy from the Sun transfers to Earth

Thermal Energy Transfer Conduction Objects must be touching Moves from higher energy to lower energy objects EX: pot handle

Thermal Energy Transfer Convection Movement of particles within matter EX: boiling water

Thermal Energy Transfer Latent Heat When water changes from one phase to another, heat is exchanged Latent heat energy is transferred from Earth’s surface to atmosphere

Thermal Energy Transfer Latent Heat

Convection Currents in Earth’s Atmosphere

Circulating Air Affects weather and climate around the world Stability Whether circulating air motions are strong or weak Unstable Air Circulating motions are strong May cause thunderstorms Stable Air Circulating motions are weak

Global Winds Wind The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure Global winds influence weather and climate

Global Winds Coriolis Effect Earth’s rotation causes moving air and water to appear to move to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere

Global Winds

Local Winds Land Breeze Sea Breeze A wind that blows from the land to the sea due to local temperature and pressure differences Sea Breeze A cool wind that blows from the sea to the land due to local temperature and pressure differences

Air Pollution Contamination of air by harmful substances like gas and smoke

Air Pollution Point-Source Pollution Non Point-Source Pollution Identifiable source of pollution EX: smokestacks, volcanoes Non Point-Source Pollution Widespread area of pollution EX: smog over a large city

Particulate Pollution Air Pollution Pollution Cause Effect --Harms organisms in water --Damages buildings made of stone Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide combine with moisture Acid Precipitation --Difficulty breathing --Damages plant and animal tissues --Reduces visibility Car exhaust and sunlight create ground-level ozone Smog Particulate Pollution --Asthma, bronchitis --Heart attacks --Creates haze Mixture of dust, acid, and chemicals

Air Pollution Acid Precipitation Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide combine with moisture --Harms organisms in water --Damages buildings made of stone

Air Pollution Smog Car exhaust and sunlight create ground-level ozone --Difficulty breathing --Damages plant and animal tissues --Reduces visibility

Particulate Pollution Air Pollution Particulate Pollution Mixture of dust, acid, and chemicals --Asthma, bronchitis --Heart attacks --Creates haze

Air Pollution