1. THE ATMOSPHERE

2. The Atmosphere Air is a MIXTURE of gases. Nitrogen = 78% Oxygen = 21%
Argon = < 1%
CO2 = .039%

3. The Atmosphere Components of Air Gases Water vapor
Varies 0 – 4%
Depends on location and weather pattern
Aerosols (solids and liquids suspended in air)
Ozone
3 atoms of oxygen bonded together. O3
Ozone layer located at the top of the Stratosphere

4. Structure of Atmosphere
Air Pressure
Decreases as you rise in altitude
Average = mb (millibars)
Measured with a barometer

5. Structure of Atmosphere
4 layers based on temperature change.
Troposphere
Layer we live in
Temp. decrease
Stratosphere
Ozone layer here
Temp. increase
Mesosphere
Coldest
Thermosphere
Space shuttle
Hubble telescope

6. Atmospheric Heating Heating of the Atmosphere from the Sun’s energy.
3 methods of heat transfer
Energy Transfer
Conduction
by contact of molecules
Convection
By different densities of air (hot/cold)
Radiation
By electromagnetic waves
Surface

7. GREEN HOUSE EFFECT Incoming radiation Gets absorbed by surface
Mostly visible light
Gets absorbed by surface
Changed to Infrared (heat)
Greenhouse gases:
H2O
CO2
Absorb Infrared heat and keep air near surface warm.
Increase of Greenhouse gases
Causes increase of heat trapped
Called Global Warming

8. Ozone Layer Ozone Layer Ozone Problem O3 Absorbs UV rays from sun
Changes it to heat
Causes increase temperature in stratosphere
Ozone Problem
O3 layer is getting thinner
Broken up by CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons)
Causes increase UV rays to reach surface (increase skin cancer)

9. Atmospheric Energy Budget
What happens to the Energy of the Sun as it hits the atmosphere?
Of the total energy that strikes our atmosphere:
Radiation absorbed by clouds or atmosphere?
Total scattered and reflected back to space?
Absorbed by Earth’s surface?
100%
20%
30%
50%

10. Affect of Surface Material
Albedo: Reflectivity of the surface
High Albedo = Very reflective, poor absorber
Low Albedo = Good absorber, poor reflector
Color:
Darker color = good absorber = Low Albedo
Light color = good reflector = High Albedo

11. Effect of Surface Material
Land Verses Water
Which heats up the quickest?
Which heats to a higher temperature?
Which will cool down the quickest?
Which will cool to a cooler temperature?
How does this temperature change affect where you live?

12. Effect of Surface Material
How does living near the ocean affect the air temperature?
Winter?
Summer?
How does living inland affect the air temperature?
Which location would have a greater change of temperature during the year?

13. Moisture in the Atmosphere
Humidity = Amount of water vapor in the air
5g H2O/kg of air
Saturated air = Holding all the water vapor it can hold.
Capacity = The amount of something it can hold
When something is filled to CAPACITY it is SATURATED.
Water vapor Capacity or Air
Direct Relationship:
As air temperature INCREASES, its water vapor capacity INCREASES.

14. Moisture in the Atmosphere
Relative Humidity = The amount of water vapor in the air compared to how much it can hold at that temperature.
Given as a % of fullness.
As the temperature changes throughout the day, so does the Relative Humidity.

15. Moisture in the Atmosphere
Dew-point Temperature: The temperature the air must cool down to for the water-vapor in the air to condense as liquid onto objects.
Usually occurs in the evening as the temperature decreases.
Relative humidity = %
Air is (holding all the water-vapor it can hold)
More humid air = higher dew-point temperature
What do you call it when the dew-point is below freezing?

16. Moisture in the Atmosphere
Clouds
Classified by:
Height above ground
Low
Middle
High
Appearance
Layered
Puffy
Wispy

17. Clouds Cloud TYPE roots: Draw here: Cirro = curly
Cumulo = puffy(heaped)
Strato = layered
Alto = middle level
Nimbo/bus = rain

18. Clouds Classification of clouds Examples: Description:
Cirro = High and wispy
Stratus = cover whole sky
Cumulo = clumpy (puffy)
Examples: Description:
Cirrocumulus =
Altocumulus =
Cirrostratus =
Nimbostratus =
Cumulonimbus =

19. Name each cloud type:

20. Cumulonimbus cloud = Thunderstorms
Heavy down pour of rain
Thunder and lightning
Gusty winds
Hail
Tornado possible
Cumulus Updraft Breaks clouds builds vertical up