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. What is the Atmosphere?
Atmosphere is the envelope of essential gases that surround Earth
In addition to these gases, particles of liquids, solids and water vapor can also be found in Earth’s atmosphere
Our atmosphere makes conditions on Earth suitable for living organisms

4. Characteristics of the Atmosphere
As you increase your height above sea level (ALTITUDE), the air has less oxygen and is called “thinner.”
Altitude is the distance above sea level.
The higher the altitude the less dense the air.
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.
Think about football and specifically, the Denver Broncos. They play at “Mile High Stadium” which means it is one mile above sea level. Watch what the players from the opposing teams do when they come off of the field. Some of them will take oxygen (put on a mask) on the side line. This is because you need oxygen for your muscles to continue to work. Since there is less oxygen, muscles could cramp more or they would get tired faster.

5. Scientists divide Earth’s atmosphere into five main layers classified according to changes in temperature
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Layers of Atmosphere

6. Troposphere inner or lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere
the layer in which we live and our weather occurs
as altitude increases, temperature decreases
goes from Earth’s surface to approximately 10km above the surface

8. Stratosphere
extends from the top of the troposphere (10km) to about 50km above Earth’s surface
The ozone layer protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
as altitude increases, temperature increases

10. Mesosphere begins 50km from Earth’s surface and extends to 80km
considered to be the “middle” of the layers
protects Earth from meteoroids
as altitude increase, temperature decreases

12. Thermosphere the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere
extends from 80km into outer space
‘thermo’ means hot
as altitude increases, temperature increases
Includes the exosphere which is the outermost edge of the atmosphere
This is the highest region in the atmosphere

14. 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.
So mathematically speaking, the air is only about 1/5 oxygen. We can not live on 100% oxygen. It would be toxic to us. People that use things like oxygen masks have to have a higher percentage of oxygen in their air because they have damage to their lung tissue which makes them not work as effectively.

15. Ongoing Processes in the Atmosphere
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Water Cycle
Animals breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
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

16. Carbon/Oxygen Cycle

17. Nitrogen Cycle

18. Water Cycle

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

20. Moving Energy – What’s the Difference?
Convection
Conduction
Radiation
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
Energy moving by heated gases and liquids
Hot air rising and cool air sinking

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.
Because of the composition of ozone, it can chemically combine with gasses that we give off from our cars and burning fuels. Ozone is a very crowded molecule, if one of the oxygen molecules can leave, it will. That’s why Carbon Monoxide is so bad. It will go up, take an oxygen molecule and make carbon dioxide. What was left of the ozone molecule is now O2 which is the oxygen that we breathe. You wouldn’t think that was bad, but we need to have the ozone layer to survive. Ozone can mend itself, but that means that we need to focus on not destroying it.

24. 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.
Sometimes you hear the word Greenhouse Effect and automatically think bad thoughts. We need some of these gasses to keep our heat in. However, too much could cause a negative effect.

25. 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 stratosphere 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.
So remember Ozone Stratosphere good, Ozone Troposphere bad!!!

26. 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

27. 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 theory 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 18+ nations. The MP asks companies to stop making and using chemicals that destroy the ozone layer.
I am not going to tell you my stance on Global Warming. We all know this is a hot button topic. What I would like for you to do is to read both sides of the stance and then decide on your own what you think.