Ch.7 The Air Around You Chapter 7 Section 1

Anticipatory Set Is there a difference between the air we breath? Think about going up to the countryside or mountains. Is the air quality different from the city?

Standards S 6.4e Students know differences in pressure, heat, air movement, and humidity result in changes in weather. S 6.6b Students know different natural energy and material resources, including air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum, fresh water, wildlife, and forests, and know how to classify them as renewable or nonrenewable.

Objectives Earth’s atmosphere is made up of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and many other gases, as well as particles of liquids and solids. Earth’s atmosphere makes conditions on Earth suitable for living things. The burning of fossil fuels can cause smog and acid rain.

Language of the Discipline Weather Atmosphere Ozone Water Vapor Pollutant Photochemical smog Acid Rain

Weather and Atmosphere Weather is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. Earth’s atmosphere is the envelope of gases that surround the planet. Earth’s atmosphere is a thin layer of gases on Earth’s surface.

Composition of the Atmosphere The atmosphere is made up of different gases. Nitrogen: the most common gas in the atmosphere. Cycle of Nitrogen: Air Living things Soil

Composition of the Atmosphere Oxygen: 2nd most abundant gas in the atmosphere. Ozone: a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two. Carbon Dioxide: one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air to make food. Fuels such as coal and gasoline burn and release carbon dioxide. Water vapor: water in the form of gas

Importance of the Atmosphere The atmosphere contains oxygen and other gases that living things need to survive. The atmosphere is constantly changing. Air quality can be affected depending on where you live and what fuels are burned. Pollutants: harmful substances in air, water, and soil.

Smog & Acid Rain Photochemical smog: smog formed by the action of sunlight on pollutants which can harm all living things. Acid rain: Rain that is slightly more acidic than normal. Nitrogen oxides + Sulfuric Acids + water Caused by burning of coal that contains a lot of sulfur.

Effects of Acid Rain

Check for Understanding What is the first most abundant gas in our air? What is the second? What are some causes from the burning of fossil fuels? What are pollutants?