1. Intro to the Atmosphere
The layers of gas that surround the other •
spheres of influence on our planet
Interacts frequently with
Interacts frequently with • • - -
Hydrosphere- Clouds,Humidity,Rain
Hydrosphere- Clouds,Humidity,Rain -
Geosphere -
Geosphere
- Weathering,Wind Erosion,Dust Particles
- Weathering,Wind Erosion,Dust Particles - -
Exosphere
Exosphere
- Blocks incoming Solar Radiation
- Blocks incoming Solar Radiation
Biosphere - -
Biosphere
- Us!, plants, animals
- Us!, plants, animals
A sandstorm in the Sahara Desert, Tunisia, North Africa

2. The August 21, 2016 haboob (localized dust storm) enveloping Phoenix, Arizona, as taken by a commercial pilot from a jet that had departed a few minutes before the storm hit the airport

3. Sand storms, dust storms and haboobs are common occurrences in the desert southwest of the US, and desert regions around the
world.
The dust is important for a number of reasons…

4. Thunderstorms give rise to funnel clouds and tornadoes, hail, lightning, and torrential rains

5. How do we know about the atmosphere?
Measuring instruments • -
Thermometer- temperature -
Barometer- pressure -
Geiger Counter- radioactivity -
Chromatograph- chemical composition
Space missions • -
satellites -
aircraft
Theory • -
physics and chemistry

6. Origins of Earth’s atmosphere
Early on- volcanic activity is •
responsible for atmospheric gases -
rich in CO2, NO2, SO2,but no O2 -
very different from today’s atmosphere!
planktonic life forms (phytoplankton) simple plants and bacteria changed the atmospheric composition over 2 billion years • -
increased the oxygen content in oceans, then air
Solar radiation also contributed • -
created other atoms by irradiating
existing components
- ozone layer

7. Composition (modern) N (nitrogen) = 78 % O (oxygen ) = 21 %
Ar (argon) = 0.93 %
an inert gas CO
(Carbon Dioxide) = % 2
a greenhouse gas
Aerosols, Water and other gasses = 0.03% •
dust and moisture particles small enough to
stay up in the atmosphere, AND
Gasses like CH4 (methane), SO2, and NO2 •

8. The structure of the atmosphere Ionosphere Clouds form here
divided based on •
Ionosphere
the
temperature •
Composition is
unchanging here
Ozone Layer- O3
Clouds
form
here

9. Aurora Borealis
& Australis
Ionosphere &
magnetosphere

10. AURORA BOREALIS movies

11. Factors associated with the atmosphere• -
different from temperature (avg. kinetic energy) -
usually measured as the temperature of the air -
F, C, K scales -
a function of the kinetic energy (molecular motion).
Moisture • -
Measured as relative humidity -
a function of temperature and availability -
expressed as a percentage
Pressure • -
Measured in millibars, pascals, or inches

12. Radiation- also known as radiative or
Heat transfer
One of the big things the atmosphere does!
Conduction
contact between air and ground •
Convection
mixing due to temp related density changes •
Radiation- also known as radiative or
electromagnetic energy
absorbed and emitted by all objects •

13. Convection (& Advection)
Conduction
Heat transfer (2)
contact between hot & cool • -
transfers E from hot to cool
solids > liquids > gases • -
atmosphere poor at
conduction
Convection (& Advection)
"mixing" of hot & cold • -
Usually in currents -
Con- is vertical; Ad- is horizontal or lateral

14. Radiation Sun is the source of most radiation • Earth also gives •-
visible light = intermediate-wave radiation -
infrared (heat)= Longwave radiation -
X-rays, gamma rays, etc= very shortwave
Earth also gives •
off some radiation
Living things also •
give off radiation
Angle of approach •
and reflective
properties are
critical factors

15. Air Pressure measured by a Barometer •
The force of the "weight" of air pressing down on the Earth's surface; mass AND motion contribute
measured by a Barometer •
A simple barometer -
inches (or mm) of mercury rising up in a tube
Must be adjusted according to height above avg. sea level • -
less air pressing down from above at higher altitudes
also takes into account motion of air • -
sinking vs rising

16. Atmospheric Density 120 km 0 km air is "thinner" • aloft- less atoms
of it
Pressure is •
lower aloft
Important for •
heat
and
pressure
transfer
0 km

17. Surface isobar map with fronts

18. Moisture- the other main thing
dependent on temperature • -
warmer = hold more water vapor -
colder = holds less water vapor
results from • -
evaporation of liquid water -
cools surface and adds heat to air -
sublimation -
direct transformation from solid water
(ice) to vapor
Acts as a trap for longwave radiation (heat) •
Transports heat •
Acts to transport water •

19. Interaction of Radiation, Pressure, & Moisture at macro, or global scale.

20. Weather patterns are dictated by moisture, pressure & temperature differences in various air masses
Hurricane Florence, 9/16/18
A hurricane is an extreme low pressure system that draws energy from warm ocean water
Interaction of Radiation,Pressure,Moisture at meso scale

21. Sea Breeze- Interaction of Radiation, Pressure & Moisture at micro scale
animation