The Atmosphere Earth Science Mr. Barry

Atmospheric Composition The atmosphere is mainly Oxygen (21%) and Nitrogen (78%) Other major gases include Argon, Hydrogen, Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) and water vapor This balance of gases is critical to life on Earth

Key Atmospheric Gases Water Vapor – Source of clouds, major step in the water cycle – Anywhere from 0-4% of the atmosphere depending on the water cycle Carbon Dioxide – Less than 1% of the atmosphere Ozone – O 3 exists in small quantities, absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun

Atmospheric Layers Characteristics of the atmosphere vary by layer as you move away from the Earth Layers of the atmosphere (bottom to top): – 1. Troposphere – 2. Stratosphere – 3. Mesosphere – 4. Thermosphere – 5. Exosphere

Separation of Layers Each of the different layers of the atmosphere have very different characteristics They are separated by “-pauses” – Tropopause (Troposphere & Stratosphere) – Stratopause (Stratosphere & Mesosphere) – Mesopause (Mesosphere & Thermosphere) – Thermopause (Thermosphere & Exosphere)

Temperature Variation in the Atmosphere

Heat Transfer Heat is the energy transfer from one object to another because of a difference in temperature Temperature is a measure of the average energy of the individual atoms/molecules in a substance

Types of Heat Transfer

Radiation Radiation: transfer of energy through waves

Solar Radiation & The Earth 3 results of solar radiation hitting the Earth: – 1. Energy is absorbed by an object – 2. Energy travels through an object – 3. Energy is reflected by an object

Conduction & Convection Conduction: transfer of heat energy through a solid object – Blacksmith heating metal to change its shape Convection: transfer of heat energy through movement of a liquid or gas – Boiling Water (States of Matter Lab)

Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere