1. The Atmosphere
Chapter 17

2. Today we will be studying the atmosphere
the atmosphere is made of air
the composition of our air varies, but it is mainly 99% Nitrogen and Oxygen

3. The other 1% of
our air is made
of Argon, Carbon
Dioxide (CO2),
and other gases

4. There are often small amounts of other substances in our atmosphere, these include:
Water vapor (depends on clouds/precipitation)
Dust
Ozone
Sea salts
Fine soils
Smoke and soot from fires
Pollen
Ash and dust from volcanoes

5. Emissions from vehicles (Car exhaust)
humans can impact what our atmosphere is made of
Can you think of any ways humans impact what is in our air?
Emissions from vehicles (Car exhaust)
Sulfur dioxide
from Factories
Cough!! Cough!!

6. Ozone (O3) vs. Oxygen Gas (O2)
Ozone is a gas that protects life on Earth from harmful UV radiation from the Sun
it is mainly found in the stratosphere, 6-30 miles above Earth’s surface

7. How is Ozone made? 1. sunlight splits an O2 molecule, forming 2
single O molecules
2. One new O atom collides with an O2 molecule
3. New O3 molecule formed

8. Ozone Formation

9. Layers of the Atmosphere
Earth’s atmosphere gradually thins to outer space…no clear boundary

11. Pressure & Temperature
as the altitude increases,
the pressure decreases
This is called an INVERSE relationship

12. Pressure & Temperature
there are 4 layers based on temperature changes
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Is this something I should remember?
YES!!!

13. Troposphere Temperature decreases as altitude increases
Layer of atmosphere where weather occurs
Thickness ~ miles
Temperature goes from ~ 70° F to -70° F

14. Hey Mom, why does temperature rise?
Stratosphere
From miles the temperature is constant (tropopause), then from miles temperature rises
Temperature goes from ~ -70° F to 32° F
Hey Mom, why does temperature rise?
Temperature rises because this is the layer where we find the Ozone layer…and remember, Ozone absorbs UV radiation from the Sun

16. Mesosphere Temperature decreases as altitude increases
Thickness goes from miles
Temperature goes from ~32° F to -140°F

17. Thermosphere
Temperature rises in this layer because of absorption of solar radiation
Thickness ≥ 50 miles
Temperature goes from ~
-140° F to 120° F as altitude increases

19. Today’s Assignment Today you will be working in small groups.
You need to:
1. create a model of Earth’s atmosphere that is to scale (within the best of your ability)
2. The model needs to include altitude ranges, temperature ranges, names of layers, and any other identifiable features
3. Model needs to be colorful!!
Be creative and everyone needs to be working in your group!

20. Today’s Assignment Today you will be working in small groups.
You need to:
1. create a model of Earth’s atmosphere that is to scale (within the best of your ability)
2. The model needs to include altitude ranges, temperature ranges, names of layers, and any other identifiable features
3. Model needs to be colorful!!
Be creative and everyone needs to be working in your group!

21. Today’s Assignment Today you will be working in small groups.
You need to:
1. create a model of Earth’s atmosphere that is to scale (within the best of your ability)
2. The model needs to include altitude ranges, temperature ranges, names of layers, and any other identifiable features
3. Model needs to be colorful!!
Be creative and everyone needs to be working in your group!

22. Today’s Assignment Today you will be working in small groups.
You need to:
1. create a model of Earth’s atmosphere that is to scale (within the best of your ability)
2. The model needs to include altitude ranges, temperature ranges, names of layers, and any other identifiable features
3. Model needs to be colorful!!
Be creative and everyone needs to be working in your group!

23. Today’s Assignment Today you will be working in small groups.
You need to:
1. create a model of Earth’s atmosphere that is to scale (within the best of your ability)
2. The model needs to include altitude ranges, temperature ranges, names of layers, and any other identifiable features
3. Model needs to be colorful!!
Be creative and everyone needs to be working in your group!

24. Today’s Assignment Today you will be working in small groups.
You need to:
1. create a model of Earth’s atmosphere that is to scale (within the best of your ability)
2. The model needs to include altitude ranges, temperature ranges, names of layers, and any other identifiable features
3. Model needs to be colorful!!
Be creative and everyone needs to be working in your group!