Characteristics of the Atmosphere

The Composition of the Atmosphere The atmosphere is made of 78% Nitrogen gas and about 21% oxygen. The atmosphere also contains small particles such as dust, volcanic ash, sea salt, dirt, smoke, liquid and solid water

Atmosphere Facts The atmosphere is held around the Earth by gravity. Air pressure is caused by gravity pulling the gas molecules in the atmosphere toward the Earth’s surface.

Structure of the Atmosphere The atmosphere is divided into four layers –Troposphere The lowest layer is where most of the weather occurs –Stratosphere –Mesosphere –thermosphere

The Troposphere: The Layer in Which We Live Layer we live in Tropo means “turning” or “change” Called this because differences in air pressure and temperature cause gases in the troposphere to move continuously Lowest layer Most dense layer (90% of the atmosphere’s mass) All weather occurs in this layer

The Stratosphere: Home of the Ozone Layer The atmospheric layer above the troposphere is called the stratosphere. –Strato means “layered” –Very thin with little moisture – Lowest layer is extremely cold (-60° C) –Temperatures rise with altitude because the ozone layer absorbs UV from the sun –Pilots fly planes here to avoid weather disturbances and/or on very long flights.

The Mesosphere: The Middle Layer The mesosphere is the middle layer of the atmosphere. It is also the coldest layer. – Meso means “middle” – Temperature decreases as altitude increases (-93°C at the top)

The Thermosphere: The Edge of the Atmosphere The uppermost atmospheric layer is called the thermosphere. – Thermo means heat; high temps (1,000° C or higher) because Nitrogen and Oxygen atoms absorb solar radiation and release thermal energy – Temperature increases with altitude – Particles move fast but it does not feel hot! – Density so low particles do not collide to transfer heat

The Ionosphere: Home of the Auroras In the upper thermosphere and the lower ionosphere, nitrogen and oxygen atoms absorb harmful solar energy. –Gas particles become electrically charged (ions) – Can radiate energy as shimmering lights called auroras

Atmospheric Pressure Air Pressure is the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface. Air pressure decreases as altitude (height) increases

Air Pressure Is caused by the weight of the atmosphere Above each square inch of Earth’s surface is a column of air that weighs 14.7 pounds

Air Pressure Factors If air is cooled, it contracts and becomes denser –This causes pressure to rise If air is heated, it expands and becomes less dense –This causes pressure to fall Humid air is lighter than dry air –This is because water molecules are lighter than the gasses they displace (replace) in the air

Measuring Air Pressure A barometer is an instrument used to measure air pressure. Meteorologists measure air pressure in millibars On a weather map, isobars connect places that have the same air pressureOn a weather map, isobars connect places that have the same air pressure