atmosphere
TRANSCRIPT
Learning ObjectivesDescribe the composition and layers of the
Earth’s atmosphere.Explain three mechanisms of heat transfer in
Earth’s atmosphere.Explain the greenhouse effect.
The AtmosphereAtmosphere – the mixture of gases that surrounds
the EarthThe envelope of gases that surrounds the planet.The atmosphere is made up of a mixture of atoms
and molecules of different kinds.Contains mostly nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxideThese gases are constantly added and removed
Animals and humans breath in and outPlants produce foodVolcanoes eruptCars
Composition of the AtmosphereNitrogen = 78%•Volcano eruptions•Dead plants and animals decay
Oxygen = 21%•Plants
Other Gases = 1%•Argon•Carbon Dioxide•Methane•Water Vapor
Composition of the AtmosphereAtmosphere also contains atmospheric dustMainly soilSaltAsh from firesVolcanic ashParticulate matter from combustionSkinHairBits of clothingPollenBacteria and virusesaerosols
Air PressureEarth’s atmosphere is pulled toward Earth’s
surface by gravityThis makes the atmosphere denser near Earth’s
surfaceAlmost the entire mass of Earth’s atmospheric
gases is located with 30 km of the surface.The air is less dense at higher altitudes. This
makes breathing more difficult.A barometer is how you measure air pressure by
mercury, which contains vacuum mercury. The aneroid barometer which contains vacuum chamber, lever, spindle and pointer. (video)
Mercury BarometerA mercury barometer is an accurate and relatively simple way to measure changes in atmospheric pressure. At sea level, the weight of the atmosphere forces mercury 760 mm (29.9 in) up a calibrated glass tube. Higher elevations yield lower readings because the atmosphere is less dense there, and the thinner air exerts less pressure on the mercury.
Aneroid BarometerIn an aneroid barometer, a partially evacuated metal drum expands or contracts in response to changes in air pressure. A series of levers and springs translates the up and down movement of the drum top into the circular motion of the pointers along the aneroid barometer's face.
Mercurial Barometer
Aneroid Barometer
Layers of the AtmosphereThe atmosphere is divided into four layers
based on temperature changes that occur at different distances above the Earth’s surface.TroposphereStratosphereMesosphereThermosphere
Without our atmosphere, there would be no life on Earth. A relatively thin envelope, the atmosphere consists of layers of gases that support life and provide protection from
harmful radiation.
The TroposphereClosest to Earth’s surface18 km above Earth’s surfaceAlmost all weather occurs hereDensest atmospheric layerTemperature decreases as altitude increases
The StratosphereFrom 18 km to about 50 kmTemperature rises as altitude increases in
stratosphereOzone in the stratosphere absorbs the sun’s
ultraviolet (UV) energy and warms the airOzone, O3, is made up of three oxygen atomsAlmost all ozone in the atmosphere is located
in the ozone layer of the stratosphereOzone reduces the amount of UV radiation
that reaches Earth.
The MesosphereFrom 50 km to 80 km above Earth’s surfaceThe coldest layer of the atmosphereTemperatures as low as -93°C.
The ThermosphereThe layer farthest from the Earth’s surfaceNitrogen and oxygen absorb solar radiation
The absorption causes atoms to be electrically charged.
These ions radiate energy as light.Temperatures above 2,000°CIf we could travel here, it would not feel hot to
usAir particles that strike one another transfer heatThe air in the thermosphere is so thin that air
particles rarely collide so they rarely transfer heat.
LAYER OF THE ATMOSPHERE BASED ON COMPOSITION OF GASES
OZONOSPHERE - In this layer ozone concentrations are about 2 to 8 parts per million, which is much higher than in the lower atmosphere but still very small compared to the main components of the atmosphere.Ozone layer is located in the lower portion of
the stratosphere from about 15–35 km (9.3–22 mi; 49,000–110,000 ft), though the thickness varies seasonally and geographically. About 90% of the ozone in our atmosphere is contained in the stratosphere.
LAYER OF THE ATMOSPHERE BASED ON COMPOSITION OF GASES
IONOSPHERE - the part of the atmosphere that is ionized by solar radiation, stretches from 50 to 1,000 km (31 to 620 mi; 160,000 to 3,300,000 ft) and typically overlaps both the exosphere and the thermosphere. - It forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere. - It has practical importance because it influences, for example, radio propagation on the Earth.- It is responsible for auroras.
LAYER OF THE ATMOSPHERE BASED ON DISTRIBUTION OF GASES
HOMOSPHERE HETEROSPHERE
HOMOSPHERE the chemical composition of the
atmosphere does not depend on molecular weight because the gases are mixed by turbulence.
includes the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere.
Above the turbopause at about 100 km (62 mi; 330,000 ft) (essentially corresponding to the mesopause), the composition varies with altitude.
HETEROSPHEREallows the gases to stratify by molecular
weight, with the heavier ones such as oxygen and nitrogen present only near the bottom of the heterosphere.
The upper part of the heterosphere is composed almost completely of hydrogen, the lightest element.
This is because the distance that particles can move without colliding with one another is large compared with the size of motions that cause mixing.
VIDEOSBeginningThe divisions of the earth atmosphereReveal Earth's Atmosphere
Three Types of Heat TransferRadiation – Transfer of energy across space
Conduction – Flow of heat from a warmer object to a colder object when placed in direct contact
Convection – The transfer of heat by air currents
Conduction, Convection, Radiation
Heating of the AtmosphereSolar energy reaches Earth as
electromagnetic radiation.Electromagnetic radiation includes visible
light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet light.Almost half of the solar energy that enters
the atmosphere passes through and reaches Earth’s surface
The rest is absorbed in the atmosphere by clouds, gases and dust or it is reflected by the Earth’s surface.
Movement of Energy in the Atmosphere
Weather is caused by air that is constantly moving upward, downward or sideways
Currents of less dense air, warmed by the Earth’s surface, rise into the atmosphere.
Currents of denser, cold air sink toward the ground.
As currents of air rise into the atmosphere they cool off
Eventually, the air current becomes more dense than the air around it and sinks.
Convection current – Continual process of warm air rising and cool air sinking. A circular motion.
The Greenhouse EffectA greenhouse is a
building where plants are grown.
Solar radiation enters the building and heats up the inside faster than heat can escape.
Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse Gases – The gases in our
atmosphere that trap and radiate heatNone of the greenhouse gases have a high
concentration in the Earth’s atmosphereThe most abundant greenhouse gases are
Water vapor (varies because of natural processes)
Carbon dioxide (varies because of industry)Methane (varies because of industry)Nitrous oxide
The Greenhouse EffectThe gases in Earth’s atmosphere act like the glass in a
greenhouse.Sunlight penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere and heats
the surface of the Earth.The Earth’s surface radiates heat back to the
atmosphere where only some of the heat escapes into space.
The rest of the heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases, which warms the air.
Heat is then radiated back toward the surface of the Earth.
Without the greenhouse effect Earth would be too cold to live.