1. Do Now: Work on Regents Questions (5 min)
L.O: SWBAT DESCRIBE THE PROPERTIES OF THE ATMOSPHERE. (S4a,S6d S7d,S7e,)
Do Now: Work on Regents Questions (5 min)

2. What is the Atmosphere?
Atmosphere: An envelope of gases that surround a planet
What prevents these gases from escaping?
Answer: Gravity

3. L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere
Turn and talk (30 seconds) How do you think the Earth may have gotten its Atmosphere?
Earth’s early atmosphere formed from“Outgassing” (releasing gas) from volcanic eruptions.
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

4. L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere
CO2, Nitrogen & other gases leaked out of early Earth’s interior through volcanoes.
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

5. L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere
~ billion years AFTER Earth formed, the first photosynthetic single-celled plants (Cyanobacteria/blue-green algae) added oxygen into Earth’s atmosphere.
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

6. How thin is the Atmosphere?
-The Earth is 12,740 km in diameter.
-The Atmosphere is only 500 km thick.
-Weather as we know it occurs in the bottom 10 km of the atmosphere.

7. Atmospheric Composition
Primary Gases:
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon %
Others %
N. Donohue Jones Beach, NY January 6, 2007

8. Find on ESRT Page 1

9. open to top of page 14. Selected properties of Earth’s atmosphere:
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

10. Atmospheric Structure
Atmosphere divided into four main layers:
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

11. Important Notes Troposphere: Stratosphere:
The troposphere is the lowest layer (0 km to 12km above sea level.) where most of our weather occurs. Most of the atmosphere’s water vapor & the clouds are in the troposphere
Troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere that surrounds us. Ends at the tropopause
Stratosphere:
The stratosphere contains ozone (O3) which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. THE STRATOSPHERE HAS NO WEATHER!

12. Interesting, But Less Important Notes
Mesosphere:
Air is extremely thin; 99.9 % of the atmosphere’s mass is below this layer
Thermosphere:
At the top of the thermosphere, single molecules can move distances of 10 km before they collide with other molecules

13. How do you think the thermosphere got its name?
* the thermosphere is very hot
How do you think the thermosphere got its name?

14. How to read the selected properties of Earth’s Atmosphere chart:
The altitudes of atmospheres layers above sea level in Kilometers & miles
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

15. Q: what is the altitude (in Km) of the troposphere?
~ 12 km above sea level
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

16. Q: what is the altitude (in Km) of the stratosphere?
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

17. The temperature Zones of each layer
thermosphere: as altitude increases temperature increases
mesosphere: as altitude increases temperature decreases
stratosphere: altitude increases, temp increases
troposphere: as altitude increases temperature decreases
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

18. As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere

19. *nearly all the water vapor is in the troposphere.
L.O. SWBAT explain properties of the atmosphere