Miss Scott

Framework of Physical Geography The subject includes the study of all processes and events that affect the appearance and form of the natural surface of our planet. Examples: Tallest mountain Ripples of sand beach Forces that cause blades of grass to bend Etc.

The Spheres of Physical Geography The Earth’s surfaces and surrounding area is classified by spheres 1. Atmosphere: surrounds the Earth 2. Lithosphere: outer layer of the Earth 3.Hydrosphere: which is the zone that contains the most amount of water. 4. Biosphere: thin layer found above, on, and below the Earth’s surface 5. Ecosphere: largest sphere as it extends through the various spheres.

Atmosphere Refers to the mixture of gases (hydrogen and oxygen) found above the Earth’s surface. Extends hundreds of kilometres until its density reaches outer space.

Troposphere The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere. The air is very well mixed and the temperature decreases with altitude. Air in the troposphere is heated from the ground up. The surface of the Earth absorbs energy and heats up faster than the air does. The heat is spread through the troposphere because the air is slightly unstable. Weather occurs in the Earth's troposphere

Stratosphere The stratosphere is the second layer, as one moves upward from Earth's surface An unusual type of oxygen molecule that is relatively abundant in the stratosphere, heats this layer as it absorbs energy from incoming ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Temperatures rise as one moves upward through the stratosphere. This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable.

Mesosphere The mesosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. The mesosphere is above the stratosphere layer. As you get higher up in the mesosphere, the temperature gets colder. The top of the mesosphere is the coldest part of Earth's atmosphere. The temperature there is around -90° C (-130° F)! Most meteors from space burn up in this layer. A special type of clouds, called "noctilucent clouds", sometimes forms in the mesosphere near the North and South Poles. These clouds are strange because they form much, much higher up than any other type of cloud. There are also odd types of lightning in the mesosphere. These types of lightning, called "sprites" and "ELVES", appear dozens of miles above thunderclouds in the troposphere below.

Thermosphere The thermosphere is directly above the mesosphere. Temperatures climb sharply in the lower thermosphere (below 200 to 300 km altitude), then level off and hold fairly steady with increasing altitude above that height. Solar activity strongly influences temperature in the thermosphere. The thermosphere is typically about 200° C (360° F) hotter in the daytime than at night, and roughly 500° C (900° F) hotter when the Sun is very active than at other times. Temperatures in the upper thermosphere can range from about 500° C (932° F) to 2,000° C (3,632° F) or higher. Although the thermosphere is considered part of Earth's atmosphere, the air density is so low in this layer that most of the thermosphere is what we normally think of as outer space.

Exosphere Very high up, the Earth's atmosphere becomes very thin. The region where atoms and molecules escape into space is referred to as the exosphere. The exosphere is on top of the thermosphere

Lithosphere Is the Earth’s outer layer Includes: The top part of the mantle and all the crust. Approx. 100 km thick.

Hydrosphere Is the zone on earth in which water (in its various forms is found) Oceans Clouds Rivers Etc.

The Biosphere The thin layer below, on and above where life form exists. Examples:

The Ecosphere Includes both the Biosphere and Hydrosphere and extends to the Atmosphere and the Lithosphere. It is the zone in which all the major process that affect life operate. Examples

Activity Take a look/walk around outside what do you see? Write down at least 15 things that you see and classify what you are seeing under the 5 spheres of physical geography. Atmosphere Lithosphere Ecosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere