1. The Atmosphere

2. a) Structure of the Atmosphere
Name of layer
Thickness
Characteristics
(Temperature,
gas content,
function of layer)
Definitions:
Atmosphere
Lapse rate
Isothermal Layer

3. a) Structure of the Atmosphere
Thermosphere
Temperatures rise rapidly!
1500oC at most!
Increase in proportion of O2
Mesosphere
Falling temperatures -90oC
No Water Vapour
Strong Winds – 3000km/h
Meteorite Protection
Stratopause (-25oC)
Stratosphere
Temperature Increase
O3 (Ozone)
Meteorite protection
Light Winds
Troposphere
Tropopause (Jets fly 9km)
Lapse rate decrease 6.4oC/1000m
why?
Contains Earths Climate and Weather
Systems
Water Vapour / Dust

4. a) Structure of the Atmosphere

5. b. Composition of the Atmosphere
Gas %
Importance for atmosphere / climate N
Oxygen
78.09
20.95
Passive
Water Vapour
4.0
Cloud formation, reflects and absorbs radiation keeps temps constant
CO2
0.03
Absorbs long wave-length radiation. Increases global temps via natural greenhouse effect. Anthropogenic release increases this risk O3
Absorbs incoming solar radiation is a greenhouse gas
Argon
0.93
None
Dust
Trace
Absorbs and reflects radiation. Volcanic eruptions release it. Form condensation nuclei for cloud formation
Pollutant Gases SO2, NO, CH4
Affect levels of incoming solar radiation and cause acid rain