1. AICE Environmental Management
UNIT 6: Atmosphere
Basic Structure & Atmospheric Patterns

2. GUIDED READING QUESTIONS

3. UNIT CALENDAR

4. AKQ1a What are the structural components of the atmosphere?
structure of the atmosphere: composition, temperature and variations in air density
troposphere
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere (ionosphere)

5. Layers of the Atmosphere
BELLRINGER
Layers of the Atmosphere
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6. The Atmosphere
Thin layer of air that protects the Earth’s surface from extreme temperature & harmful sun rays
All energy on Earth ultimately comes from the sun

7. Atmosphere Basics Absorbs the energy from the Sun
Recycles water & other chemicals
Protects us from high-energy radiation & frigid vacuum of space
Protects & supports life

9. THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE: Atmospheric Layers

10. Troposphere the lowest layer of the atmosphere
lies next to the Earth’s surface (extends to about 14 kilometers - 9 miles above the Earth)

11. What happens in the Troposphere?
where most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found
where virtually all weather takes place

12. Temperature in the Troposphere
As you move up into the troposphere the temperature decreases.
At the top of this layer the air temperature is about - 60°C (-76° F).

13. Stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere (14 km/9 miles)
extends to about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the surface of the Earth

14. Temperature in the Stratosphere
As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature increases.
occurs because of ozone

15. What’s in the Stratosphere?
Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat.
The stratospheric or "good" ozone protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

17. Where’s the ozone layer?
located at the bottom of the stratosphere

18. Mesosphere
begins at about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the Earth’s surface
extends to 80 kilometers (50 miles)

19. Temperature in the Mesosphere
As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases.
Temperatures at the top of this layer can drop to -90°C (- 130°F ).

20. Mesosphere – Protects Earth
Meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.

21. Thermosphere outermost layer
begins at 80 km (50 miles) above the Earth
extends outward into space
Sometimes the thermosphere and exosphere are listed as separate layers.

22. Temperature in the Thermosphere
The higher you move in this layer, the higher the temperature.
Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800°C (3,300°F)!

23. Northern Lights - Thermosphere
beautiful colors of the aurora borealis or northern lights occur in this atmospheric layer

24. Thermosphere & NASA
where the space shuttle orbits the Earth!

28. Temperature Trends - Atmosphere
Troposphere: temperature decreases as altitude increases in this layer (warmed mostly by the Earth’s surface)
Stratosphere: temperature increases as altitude increases (particularly in upper portion – ozone)
Mesosphere: temperature decrease with altitude
Thermosphere/Exosphere: very hot, first to receive Sun’s ray

29. AKQ1b Why is it important to understand the atmosphere's characteristics?
incoming & outgoing radiation within stratosphere & troposphere
earth’s energy budget
importance of troposphere
weather
human activity

30. AKQ2a What is the pattern of air movement in the troposphere?
global isolation
regions of high & low pressure
global & local wind systems
effect of land relief & ocean currents
major climatic regions

31. AKQ2b How does it influence regional climates and local weather?
anticyclones (high pressure systems)
temperate frontal depressions
tropical cyclones

32. AKQ2c What methods are employed to forecast weather patterns?
Weather forecasting
Weather charts
Satellite data
Recording weather data (visual & infra- red photography)

33. Earth’s Layers: The Core
the central part of the Earth that lies below the mantle
makes up 33% of Earth’s mass
radius 3,430 km
made mostly of iron and smaller amounts of nickel (heavy minerals)
most dense layer

34. What do you know?