1. Earth’s Atmosphere
Standard Of Learning
6.6

2. Air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds.
Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Other gases(1%)
Water vapor in the air varies daily and therefore cannot be listed in any average amount.
The Air You Breathe

4. Air Pressure
Air exerts pressure on everything from all directions. Air pressure at sea level is greater than air pressure on a mountain top.

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=play er_detailpage&v=jmQ8FWnM0fA
Air density changes as pressure changes and is less at high altitudes than at lower altitudes.
Air Density

7. Look at the chart for the atmospheric Layers: Use the resources provided to fill in the missing information. s/atmosphere/
Atmospheric Layers

9. The Troposphere The troposphere is the lowest level of the atmosphere.
We live in the troposphere
Most of the air found in our atmosphere is in the troposphere
All weather takes place in the troposphere.
The Troposphere

10. Forest fires and volcanic eruptions are two natural processes that affect Earth’s atmosphere.
Many gaseous compounds and particles are released into the atmosphere by human activity.
All of the effects of these materials are not yet fully understood.
The amounts of thermal energy and water vapor and the pressure of the air largely determine what the weather conditions are.
The Troposphere

11. Atmosphere and Weather
The FRAME Routine
Key Topic
is about…
Atmosphere and Weather
Identifying the composition and physical characteristics of the atmosphere
Layer
Essential details
Layer
Essential details
Layer
Essential details
Layer
Essential details
Layer
Essential details
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
exosphere
75% of atmosphere
24% of atmosphere
A few molecules
Very few molecules
He and H low density M
8 to 14.5 km
14.5 to50 km
50 to 85 Km
85 to 500 Km
500 to 800Km A
Highest pressure
Low pressure
Lower pressure
Very low pressure
Extremely low pressure P
Decreases with altitude
Increases with altitude
Decreases with altitude
-93°C to 1,727°C
1,100°C to 270°C T
Weather occurs here, life exists here, contains water vapor.
Meteoroids burn up here
ionosphere: Auroras over the poles
Satellites, telescopes orbit here D
Ozone layer, dry less dense
So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)
The atmosphere protects the planet and allows life to exist.
Understanding the atmosphere relates to understanding temperature and pressure.

13. Temperature Inversion
Under normal conditions harmful gasses like Automobile exhaust, smoke, ozone and other pollutants are allowed to dissipate up into the air currents high in the troposphere.
A temperature inversion like the one on the previous slide does not allow this to happen and can cause major problems for people with breathing problems like asthma and other lung diseases.
Temperature Inversion

15. Greenhouse Effect and Ozone
Greenhouse Effect: What is it?
Ozone: What is it?
The greenhouse effect is the process where heat does not escape earth’s atmosphere. Gasses like Carbon Dioxide, water vapor and other pollutants trap this heat and cause the Earth to be warmer than normal.
Ozone is an oxygen molecule with three oxygen atoms bonded together. O2
Ozone in the lower atmosphere is harmful.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere is helpful in filtering out harmful ultraviolet rays.
Greenhouse Effect and Ozone

17. Clouds Clouds are indicators of atmospheric conditions.
The three main types of clouds are cumulus, stratus, cirrus.
Clouds

18. Look at this symbol Interpreting Data
This symbol gives lots of Information:
What is the temperature at this station?
What is the wind speed?
Which way is the wind blowing?
What is the air pressure?
What percent of the sky is covered by clouds?
What type of precipitation, if any, is falling?
Look at this symbol

21. Bluefield Daily Telegraph Weather Maps
Complete the questions using the weather map from the Newspaper. Answer as many as you can in the time we have left.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph Weather Maps

22. Air Masses and Weather Maritime Polar: Cold and moist
Maritime Tropical: Warm and moist
Continental Polar: Cold and dry
Continental Tropical: Warm and dry
Air Masses and Weather

23. North American Weather
Our Weather is affected and driven by the air masses that carry a specific temperature and humidity toward and over the country. These air masses are driven and determined by the global winds, jet streams and the land or water areas where they originate.
North American Weather