1. The atmosphere

2. The atmosphere vocabulary Altitude- distance above sea level Atmosphere- outer layer of a mixture gases that surrounds the Earth. Cycle- series of events that repeat over and over. Density- property of matter representing mass per unit volume

3. Key Concepts How is the atmosphere important to living things? What substances make up air in the atmosphere? Be able to describe how natural cycles affect the atmosphere.

4. The atmosphere makes life on earth possible The atmosphere supports life and protects it. But HOW? How exactly would air support and protect life

5. (ctd) Gases of the atmosphere keep Earth warm and transport energy to different parts of the planet. Without the atmosphere, the oceans would not exist, life would not survive, and the planet would be lifeless.

6. How thick is the atmosphere? Since atmospheres are made of gases, what kind of thickness do you think they have? Are you able to see gases? Since we are not able to see them, the atmosphere is surprisingly thin. If the Earth was a peach, the atmosphere would be nothing thicker than the fuzz around it.

7. Characteristics of the atmosphere Two balloonists traveled the highest possible altitude any human has ever gone, but as they got to the top one balloonist fainted and the other barely managed to bring the balloon back down. This shows them that air becomes thinner as altitude increases. Air’s thickness and thinness is measured by its density. Which has a higher density, a bowling ball or a soccer ball? Atmosphere’s density DECREASES as you travel upward. (Read third and fourth paragraph on page 10)

8. What does the atmosphere consist of? In dry air, about 78% would include Nitrogen gas as the main ingredient, which provides plant growth. Oxygen gas is the next most common ingredient, which makes up 21%, which is necessary for plants and animals to perform life processes. Argon, Carbon dioxide, and other gases make up about one percent of the atmosphere, and plants use the carbon dioxide and water to make food. Water vapor in the air varies

9. Carbon Cycle Animals (or people) inhale air, using some of the oxygen and exhale the carbon dioxide Plants take in the carbon dioxide to make their food, and release oxygen, which we breathe back in.

10. Nitrogen cycle Tiny organisms remove nitrogen from the air and transform it into other chemicals, which enter the soil Plants and animals use solids and liquids that contain nitrogen that returns to the soil when the organisms die and decay. The soil slowly releases nitrogen back into the air as nitrogen.

11. Water cycle Liquid water from oceans and lakes changes into gas and enters the atmosphere. Plants release water vapor from their leaves Liquid water falls from the atmosphere as rain

12. Sudden changes Volcanic eruptions, forest fires and dust storms can cause change to the atmosphere as well. Volcanoes shoot gases and huge amounts of ash into the atmosphere. When gases produce that haze, it may affect the air for many months and lower temperatures. Forest Fires mix the carbon from the trees mixes with the oxygen in the air and enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, along with ash. Dust Storms causes dust particles to be in the air for a very long time.

13. Vocabulary Radiation Conduction Convection

14. Energy from the Sun Heats the atmosphere Almost ALL energy comes from the Sun, and it reaches Earth in a form you can see which is visible light. TWO MAIN THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO SUNLIGHT THAT REACHES THE EARTH SOME sunlight is reflected, which is sent in a new direction. And other sunlight is absorbed. For example, hot sand during the summer at the beach.

15. Energy from the sun heats the atmosphere The light that you can see (visible light) is one type of radiation. Visible light and other types of radiation can be absorbed OR reflected. 30 % is reflected, the other 70% is absorbed. Clouds and snow covered ground are white and therefore reflect a lot of radiation. Where does the reflected energy go? Absorbed energy is what warms the Earth.

16. Examples

17. Radiation Radiation is what warms the earth SUNLIGHT HEATS THE GROUND Radiation is the transfer of energy through WAVES.

18. Conduction Conduction is the transfer of heat energy from one substance to another by direct contact. The warm ground heats the air. Molecules of air collide, and spread heat

19. Convection Convection is the transfer of energy from place to place by the motion of gas or liquid. Cool, dense air sinks down, pushing warm air out of the way. Warm air carries energy upward. Differences in DENSITY produce the motion of air convection. What has more energy…hot air or cold air? Hot air because the molecules are moving faster.

20. Temperature layers The atmosphere has FOUR different layers, which are defined by their temperature changes. Air’s temperature changes with altitude Turn to page 20 & 21

21. Temperature Layers TROPOSPHERE Nearest Earth’s surface Contains all weather Contains 80% of total mass of atmosphere Warmed from below by ground Temperature falls as you move upward. STRATOSPHERE Above troposphere Clear dry layer of atmosphere which contains ozone. Protects us by absorbing ozone Temperature increases the higher you rise in this layer

22. Temperature Layers Mesosphere Air is extremely thin Most meteors that enter the atmosphere burn up in this layer Temperature decreases as you rise Thermosphere Farthest away from Earth’s surface Grows less and less dense until you reach space. Temperature increases as you rise. Closest to Space Protects from gamma ray radiation

23. It can absorb light It can reflect light It can let it pass through It can also give off (emit) light Atmosphere affects light in four ways

24. Ultraviolet Radiation More energy than the light you can see. Cause sunburn and other damage Infrared Radiation Less energy than visible light. Warms materials that absorb it “Heat” radiation Radiation from the Sun

25. OZONE LAYER

26. OZONE Made up of three oxygen atoms, mixed with Nitrogen and other gases Protects life by absorbing harmful UV rays UV can cause cancer, burns, harm crops, and plastic. Ozone layer absorbs UV but allows visible light to pass through

27. GREENHOUSE EFFECT

28. Acts as the Earth’s blanket Slows the movement of energy away from the Earth Gases absorb and give off infrared radiation, keeping energy in Earth’s system for a while Greenhouse gases are the gases that give off infrared radiation (carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane) MOST of greenhouse gases are in the troposphere. Greenhouse effect

29. What if there are no greenhouse gases? Infrared radiation would go straight back into outer space. Why is this bad? The Earth would be too cold, water would freeze and there would be no life. Greenhouse effect keeps Earth’s temp around 59 degrees. In time, the gases all end up back in outer space.

30. Human Contribution

31. Human Activities affect the atmosphere Smoke and other harmful materials added to the air is air pollution. Wind can spread air pollution.

32. Different types of Pollution Pollutants can either be classified as gases or particles. Gases are only pollutants when they can cause harm Ozone is good in the stratosphere, but a pollutant in the troposphere. Particulates are tiny particles or droplets that are mixed in with air. (Dust, Dirt, Pollen, Salt)

33. Air Pollution

34. Types of Pollution (ctd) In cities, most pollution comes from burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) Resulting smoke mixed and weather conditions are called smog. Sunlight causes fumes from gas, exhaust and other gases to react chemically, forming new pollutants.

35. Smog

36. Effects of Pollution Can cause health problems. May irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Why is it worse to exercise outdoors in the polluted air? Particulates can stick to surfaces and damage plants, buildings and other outdoor objects. Particulates can be high in the atmosphere and either reflect or absorb sunlight, and effect the weather Rain clears air by removing particles, yet still harmful when moved to oceans.

37. Controlling Pollution Governments national and state work together to try to control air pollution Clean Air Act reduced amount of air pollution factories and power plants are allowed to emit.

38. Greenhouse gases Plant growth, forest fires, volcanoes and other natural processes affect carbon dioxide levels. Human activity produce greenhouse gases faster than natural processes.

39. Global Warming

40. Global Warming Effects Can affect sources of food Can affect amount of water and other resources available, even human health.

41. What are some ways to reduce greenhouse gases? Technology developing ways to heat and cool buildings. What about transportation?

42. Human activities produce chemicals that destroy the ozone layer. This affects the cycle of making ozone. Chlorine is added in the stratosphere. CFC’s are added from cooling systems, spray cans, and foam packaging. Amount of ozone varies from places and changes with the seasons.