1. Introduction to the Atmosphere
Current Weather
Finish Greenhouse Effect
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
Atmospheric Composition, Temperature, and Function  
Variable Atmospheric Components 
For Wednesday: Read Chapter 4: pp and follow TC Darian!

2. Discussion Questions
1. What is the greenhouse effect and why is it important?
2. What are the major greenhouse gases?

3. Terrestrial Radiation
Greenhouse Effect
Heating of Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere caused by strong absorption and emission of infrared radiation (IR) by certain atmospheric gases
known as greenhouse gases
Similarity in radiational properties between atmospheric gases and the glass or plastic glazing of a greenhouse is the origin of the term greenhouse effect
© AMS

4. Terrestrial Radiation
Greenhouse Gases
Water Vapor is the principal greenhouse gas
Clear-sky contribution of 60%
Other contributing gases:
carbon dioxide (26%)
ozone (8%)
methane plus nitrous oxide (6%)
© AMS

5. How Greenhouse Effect Works
© AMS

6. Profile of Atmosphere
Figure 3.2

10. Atmospheric Pressure
Figure 3.3

12. Atmospheric Pressure
What is standard atmospheric pressure at Sea Level? Boone? Mt. Mitchell? Mt. Everest?

13. Atmospheric Pressure Standard sea-level pressure: 1013.2 mb
Boone (3,280 ft/1000 m): 900 mb
Laguna Glaciar, Bolivia (16,400 ft/5,000 m): 500 mb
Mt. Everest (29,035 ft/8,850 m): ~330 mb

14. Chapter 3, Table 3.1 Labeled

15. Chapter 3, Table 3.2 Labeled

19. Chapter 3, Figure 3.5 Labeled

20. Tropopause
What is the tropopause and how does its height vary latitudinally and seasonally?

21. Temperature Profile
Figure 3.6

22. Chapter 3, Unnumbered Figure 1, Page 63 Labeled

23. Protective Atmosphere
Figure 3.7

24. Antarctic Ozone Hole 2006
Figure FS 3.1.1

25. ClO and O3
Figure FS 3.1.2

26. Chapter 3, Table 3.3 Labeled

27. Chapter 3, Table 3.4 Labeled

28. Chapter 3, Figure 3.16 Labeled