1. Atmosphere’s Structural Components & Characteristics
AICE EM: Atmosphere Key Content 1

2. Decay of organic molecules from bodies and waste. (______cycle)
Source of atmospheric nitrogen: ____________
Which cycles maintain levels of H2O, CO2, O2? ________________________
Water cycle & carbon cycle
Other: .9% Ar, .1% other (including water vapor)

3. Atmospheric pressure (millibars) 200 400 600 800 1,000 120 75
200
400
600
800
1,000
120 75
110
Temperature
Thermosphere 65
100 90
Mesopause 55 80
Mesosphere 45 70
Altitude (kilometers)
Altitude (miles) 60
Stratopause 35 50
Stratosphere 40 25
Figure 18.3
Natural capital: The earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic system that includes four layers. The average temperature of the atmosphere varies with altitude (red line). Most UV radiation from the sun is absorbed by ozone (O3), found primarily in the stratosphere in the ozone layer 17–26 kilometers (10–16 miles) above sea level. Question: Why do you think the temperature falls and rises twice, going from lower to higher altitudes? 30
Tropopause 15 20
Ozone layer 10
Pressure
Troposphere 5
(Sea level)
Pressure =
1,000 millibars at ground level
–80
–40 40 80
120
Temperature (˚C)
Fig. 18-3, p. 470

4. Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere (including ionosphere)
Exosphere

5. Describe Each Atmospheric Layer
Composition
Temperature
Density variation
why temperature change in layers of atmosphere

6. Click here Solar radiation Reflected by atmosphere Radiated by
as heat
UV radiation
Lower Stratosphere
(ozone layer)
Most
absorbed
by ozone
Troposphere
Visible
light
Heat radiated
by the earth
Figure 3.8
Solar capital: flow of energy to and from the earth. See an animation based on this figure at CengageNOW.
Heat
Absorbed
by the earth
Greenhouse
effect
Fig. 3-8, p. 56

7. Heat Transfer at the Surface

8. Earth’s Energy Budget

9. Earth’s Energy Budget

10. Troposphere & Weather Troposphere is the weather maker
Almost all clouds
All precipitation
All violent storms
Discussed in Atmosphere Key Question 2