Atmosphere- Gas layer of Earth. (Air) Lithosphere- Solid Layer of Earth. (Rocks) Hydrosphere- Liquid Layer of Earth. (Water)

The Atmosphere Made up of: nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21% and Carbon Dioxide, water and other trace gases 1%

Weather- The condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. Climate-The average, year after year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in the area.

The atmosphere supports life because: Contains oxygen and other gases that living things need. Traps energy from the sun which keeps the surface warm and water in its liquid form. Protects Earth from radiation and meteoroids.

The Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere- Lowest layer, where you live, where weather occurs. The Atmosphere is divided into four main layers according to changes in temperature Troposphere- Lowest layer, where you live, where weather occurs. Stratosphere- Second Layer, contains ozone which protects from UV radiation Mesosphere- Third layer, protects from meteoroids. Thermosphere- Outmost layer.

The Atmosphere Absorbs Heat

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse gases- Absorb heat . It’s a natural process that keeps the temperature comfortable for most living things. The most important ones are Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Water Vapor. Others- Nitrogen Oxides and Ozone.

Vocabulary Fossil Fuel- Energy resource formed from the remains of dead plants and animals. For Examples-Coal, oil, natural gas Global Warming- A gradual increase in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases Carbon Dioxide- Animal Respiration, Burning Fossil Fuels. Water Vapor- Deforestation, Draining Swamps. Methane-Farming and Landfills.

Properties of Air Air has mass. It also has properties such as density and pressure. Altitude- Distance above sea level. http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/chapter1/lesson5#solid_liquid_and_gas

Pressure Pressure is the force pushing on an area. Air pressure is the result of a column of air pushing down on an area. It is measured with a barometer. The unit is the millibar. Air pressure decreases as altitude increases.

Density As the altitude increases, the density decreases. As air pressure decreases so does the density

Temperature Average amount of energy of motion of each particle of a substance. Measured with a thermometer. Measured in degrees. Scales commonly used are: Celsius, Farenheit and Kelvin.

Heat Transfer in the Troposphere Radiation- transfer of heat. (no touching) Conduction-direct transfer of heat. (touching) Convection-transfer of thermal energy by the movement of a fluid.