1. The Atmosphere Thin layer of gases that surrounds Earth.
Makes Earth a livable environment.
The Atmosphere

2. Climatology
The study of the climate, and those factors that affect it over time. .

3. Meteorology The study of the atmosphere,
and in particular its effect on weather.

4. Weather
The condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

5. Weather patterns over a long period of time (30 years or longer)
Climate
The average, year after year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area
Weather patterns over a long period of time (30 years or longer)

6. What’s in the air around you?

7. Composition of the dry Atmosphere
Oxygen
1 % Other:
argon (.93%),
CO2(.037%),
neon, helium,
methane,
krypton and
hydrogen
Nitrogen

8. Why is our atmosphere so important?
Provides nitrogen for all living things
Protects life from bombardment and radiation
Allows water to exist as a liquid
Provides oxygen for respiration

9. Atmosphere developed as volcanoes emitted gases
Atmosphere developed as volcanoes emitted gases. O2 began to accumulate about 2.5 BYA.

10. Nitrogen Most abundant gas in the atmosphere.
Essential for living things
Needed for growth and body repair.

11. Oxygen 2nd most abundant gas in the atmosphere.
Needed for respiration and combustion
Ozone - a form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms per molecule instead of two.

12. Ozone is concentrated in a layer 10-50 km above the earth.
Ozone absorbs large amounts (but not all) of ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on the planet.

13. Carbon Dioxide 1 carbon, 2 oxygen Plants use it to produce food
Animals give it off as a waste product
Excess CO2 caused by burning fuels

14. Other Gases
Called trace gases because only small amounts of them are present
Of the “other” gases, argon is by far the most abundant, then carbon dioxide

15. Variable Components Water Vapor
(Variable – changeable Components – parts)
Water Vapor
Water in the form of gas in the air %
Absorbs heat from Earth and Sun
Absorbs heat from Earth and Sun

16. Particles
Tiny, solid and liquid particles of dust, smoke, salt, and other chemicals.
Some you can see, but most of the time they’re too small to be seen.