1. Chapter 1: The Atmosphere
Weather
Chapter 1: The Atmosphere

2. Earth’s Atmosphere Supports Life
Read p. A9-A11 to distinguish the two truths from the lie.
Air gets thinner the higher you go up a mountain.
Air is mostly oxygen.
Here is an analogy: earth:atmosphere::peach:fuzz

3. Characteristics of the Atmosphere
As you increase your height above sea level (ALTITUDE), the air has less oxygen and is called “thinner.”
The thickness of the air is determined by looking at its density, or the amount of material that is contained within a space. Think about a brick and a wooden block the same size. The brick has a greater density because there is more mass in the same size block.

4. Materials in the Atmosphere
Most of the atmosphere is composed of gases but there are some other solid and liquid particles, like dust and smoke.
Air is . . .
78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% combined argon, carbon dioxide, and other gases
The amount of water vapor varies a lot depending on humidity.

5. Ongoing Processes in the Atmosphere
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Water Cycle
Animals breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
Plants do the opposite.
This is a symbiotic relationship. We help one another.
Microorganisms remove nitrogen from the air and change it into other chemicals, which are released into the soil.
Living things then use this nitrogen. When they die, the nitrogen returns to the soil.
Nitrogen from the soil is gradually released into the air.
Precipitation
Run off
Evaporation
Condensation

6. Sudden Atmospheric Changes
Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and dust storms disrupt the normal atmospheric cycles and release substances and gases into the atmosphere.

7. Moving Energy – What’s the Difference?
Convection
Conduction
Radiation
Energy moving by heated gases and liquids
Hot air rising and cool air sinking
Energy that travels from one substance to another by direct contact
Walking barefoot on hot sand
Energy that travels in waves
Sunlight warming the Earth

8. Layers of the Atmosphere Posters

9. Gases in the Atmosphere Absorb Radiation
The atmosphere can . . .
Absorb light – take it in
Reflect light – bounce it back off
Let light pass through
Give off light

10. Types of Radiation Lots of energy “Ultra violent” Causes sunburn
Ultraviolet Radiation
Infrared Radiation
Lots of energy
“Ultra violent”
Causes sunburn
Low energy
Night vision goggles

11. Ozone Made of three oxygen molecules stuck together
The stratosphere has a collection of ozone called the OZONE LAYER.
The ozone layer protects the Earth by absorbing bad UV radiation.

12. The Greenhouse Effect
Gases in the atmosphere keep energy close to the Earth’s surface.
The term GREENHOUSE EFFECT came from the way our atmosphere holds gases inside, much like the way a greenhouse maintains heat for its plants.
Greenhouse Gases . . .
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Water vapor
Nitrous Oxide
Others
Most greenhouse gases are in the atmospheric layer closest to Earth, the troposphere.
Greenhouse gases enable life to thrive on Earth. Without them, Earth would be too cold for life.
Over time, energy escapes into outer space. Otherwise, Earth’s temperature would rise higher and higher until life could not survive.

13. Human Activity Cause Air Pollution
Air pollution refers to smoke and other harmful particles that are added to otherwise healthy air.
Winds spread air pollution.
Gas pollutants …
Methane
Carbon monoxide
Ozone
Some are naturally occurring, like the methane produced by cows.
Pollutants refer to when these particles cause harm. Ozone in the troposphere is good but breathing it in is bad.
PARTICULATES are the tiny particles or droplets that are carried in the air, like smoke, dust, pollen, salt, etc.
Burning FOSSIL FUELS like coal and oil produce pollution.
SMOG = smoke + fog
Smog comes from both factories and cars.

14. Irritates eyes, nose, throat, lungs Smells bad Difficulty breathing
Effects of Pollution
Controlling Pollution
Ozone alerts on the news warn people of unhealthy days.
The Clean Air Act limits the amount of pollution factories are allowed to introduce into the air.
Car inspection stickers
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) keeps track of pollution and enforces laws – big $$$ fines for breaking laws
Irritates eyes, nose, throat, lungs
Smells bad
Difficulty breathing
Darkens skies

15. Global Warming
Earth can handle some greenhouse gases on its own. Nature contributes some of these gases. The problem occurs when Earth can’t keep up with the added demands that humans place on it.
Due to the increase of greenhouse gases, Earth is slowly becoming warmer and warmer. This is called GLOBAL WARMING.
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in air conditioners, refrigerators, spray cans, and packaging materials increase bad chemicals in the air.
Ozone levels vary across the globe. The South Pole has suffered greatly.
Montreal Protocol was created in and includes 180 nations. The MP asks companies to stop making and using chemicals that destroy the ozone layer.