ATMOSPHERE in MOTIONATMOSPHERE in MOTION

The AtmosphereThe AtmosphereEarth’s WeatherEarth’s WeatherHeat TransferHeat Transfer

Atmosphere – What’s in it?Atmosphere – What’s in it?

Gases, water and other liquids, microscopic Gases, water and other liquids, microscopic particles of solidsparticles of solids– Mixture of GASESMixture of GASES

Nitrogen – 78%Nitrogen – 78% Oxygen – 21%Oxygen – 21% Argon - 0.93%Argon - 0.93% Carbon Dioxide – 0.03%Carbon Dioxide – 0.03%

– AerosolsAerosols Solids such as dust, salt, pollen, tiny acid dropletsSolids such as dust, salt, pollen, tiny acid droplets

Most Abundant Gases in the Atmosphere

0.030.93

21

78

01020304050607080

Nitrogen Oxygen Argon CarbonDioxide

Gases

%

NitrogenOxygenArgonCarbon Dioxide

Layers of the AtmosphereLayers of the Atmosphere

EXOSPHERE

THERMOSPHERE

MESOSPHERE

STRATOSPHERE

TROPOSPHERE

SEA LEVEL

10 km (6 mi)

45 km (28 mi)

80 km (50 mi)

500 km (310 mi)

TROPOSPHERETROPOSPHERE

STRATOSPHERESTRATOSPHERE

MESOSPHEREMESOSPHERE

THERMOSPHERETHERMOSPHERE

ozone

EXOSPHEREEXOSPHERE

meteors

auroraIONOSPHEREIONOSPHERE

60 km (37 mi)

TROPOSPHERETROPOSPHERE

0-10 km

Contains most clouds & weather

Contains about 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere

STRATOSPHERESTRATOSPHERE

10-50 km

Contains OZONE – absorbs Sun’s ultraviolet radiation

UPPER LAYERSUPPER LAYERSMESOPSHERE

Coldest layer w/ little ozone THERMOSPHERE

Warms as it filters out X-rays & gamma rays from sun, which have the shortest wavelengths, are absorbed by oxygen and nitrogen moleculesTransformed into ions.

EXOSPHEREContains few atomsNo clear boundary w/ space

UPPER LAYERSUPPER LAYERS

Ionosphere Radio waves transmitted from the earth bounce off tiny energy particles called ions, return to a different location on the earth.

Atm

osph

eric

Tem

pera

ture

Atm

osph

eric

Tem

pera

ture

Leaves give off water

Roots absorb water

Groundwater

Water filters

through soil

Condensation

Water CycleWater Cycle

Precipitation

Evaporation

Transpiration

WATER CYCLEWATER CYCLEWater on our planet moves in a continuous cycle.Water on our planet moves in a continuous cycle. water evaporates, heat is absorbed to form water evaporates, heat is absorbed to form

water vapor water vapor vapors rise, cool and condense into clouds. vapors rise, cool and condense into clouds. water droplets become heavy enough to fall -water droplets become heavy enough to fall -

precipitation. precipitation. water fills lakes, streams and rivers, and water fills lakes, streams and rivers, and

eventually flows back into the oceans where eventually flows back into the oceans where evaporation starts the process anew. evaporation starts the process anew.

transpiration by plant leaves: as plants absorb transpiration by plant leaves: as plants absorb water from the soil, the water moves from the water from the soil, the water moves from the roots through the stems to the leaves, where it roots through the stems to the leaves, where it can evaporate. can evaporate.

EARTH’S WEATHEREARTH’S WEATHERTemperature Temperature

A measure of how fast air molecules A measure of how fast air molecules are movingare moving

HIGH – molecules moving rapidlyHIGH – molecules moving rapidly

LOW – molecules moving slowlyLOW – molecules moving slowly

SCALESCALE Freezing Freezing

PointPoint

Boiling Boiling PointPoint

FahrenheitFahrenheit 3232 212212CelsiusCelsius 00 100100KelvinKelvin 273273 373373

Temperature ScalesTemperature Scales

Measurement of Water VaporMeasurement of Water Vapor

HumidityHumidity - the amount of water vapor in the air - the amount of water vapor in the airTemperature affects how much moisture is in the airTemperature affects how much moisture is in the air

Warmer air can hold MORE moisture – molecules are farther Warmer air can hold MORE moisture – molecules are farther apart creating more space for the water molecules to fit inapart creating more space for the water molecules to fit in

Dew pointDew point – The temperature at which water vapor – The temperature at which water vapor will condensewill condense

Relative HumidityRelative Humidity – the amount of water vapor – the amount of water vapor present compared to the amount that could be present compared to the amount that could be held at a specific temperatureheld at a specific temperature

AIR PRESSUREAIR PRESSURE

Weight of air column

Warmer air is LESS DENSE – low pressure

Cooler air is MORE DENSE – high pressure

AIR PRESSUREAIR PRESSURE

Barometer

Device used to m

easure air pressure

Device used to m

easure air pressure

CLOUDS – How do they form?CLOUDS – How do they form?Air risesAir risesCools to its dew point through expansion Cools to its dew point through expansion

(Less pressure, molecules spread out, (Less pressure, molecules spread out, heat is given off)heat is given off)

Water vapor molecules "clump together" Water vapor molecules "clump together" faster than they are torn apart by their faster than they are torn apart by their thermal energy. thermal energy.

Some of that (invisible) water vapor Some of that (invisible) water vapor condenses to form (visible) cloud droplets condenses to form (visible) cloud droplets or ice crystals.or ice crystals.

CLOUDSCLOUDS

PRECIPITATIONPRECIPITATIONRainRain

liquid precipitationliquid precipitation HailHail

Ice precipitationIce precipitationFreezing rainFreezing rain

super cooled droplets freezing on impactsuper cooled droplets freezing on impactSleetSleet

Frozen raindrops that bounce on impact with the Frozen raindrops that bounce on impact with the groundground

SnowSnowan aggregate of ice crystals an aggregate of ice crystals

cloud particles become too heavy to

cloud particles become too heavy to

remain suspended in the air

remain suspended in the air

WIND - GlobalWIND - GlobalAir moving from one temperature or pressure Air moving from one temperature or pressure

area to anotherarea to anotherAffected by Affected by Coriolis EffectCoriolis Effect

apparent deflection of air to the right in the apparent deflection of air to the right in the Northern hemisphere, to the left in the southernNorthern hemisphere, to the left in the southern hemispherehemisphere

caused by Earth’scaused by Earth’s rrotationotation

WIND - GlobalWIND - GlobalTrade Winds Trade Winds 0 0 - 30 - 30Prevailing Westerlies Prevailing Westerlies 30 30 - 60 - 60 Polar Easterlies Polar Easterlies 60 60 - 90 - 90

http://library.thinkquest.org/C001472/en/development/movement.content.html

Global W

indG

lobal Wind

WINDS – LocalWINDS – LocalSea BreezeSea Breeze

Land heats up faster than the waterLand heats up faster than the water

Air above land heats up, becoming less dense and risesAir above land heats up, becoming less dense and rises

Cool, denser air from over water moves inCool, denser air from over water moves in

WINDS – LocalWINDS – LocalLand BreezeLand Breeze

Land cools faster than the waterLand cools faster than the water

Air above land cools, becoming more dense and settlesAir above land cools, becoming more dense and settles

Warm air over water risesWarm air over water rises

Cool air over land moves out and pushes warm air upCool air over land moves out and pushes warm air up

http://wings.avkids.com/Book/Atmosphere/instructor/heat-01.html

Bands of strong winds near the top of the Bands of strong winds near the top of the troposphere at the northern and southerntroposphere at the northern and southern boundaries of the prevailing westerliesboundaries of the prevailing westerlies

JET JET STREAMSTREAM

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents Movement of both  the air and the oceans is Movement of both  the air and the oceans is

controlled by temperature differences controlled by temperature differences The result is a transfer of heat from the equator The result is a transfer of heat from the equator

to the poles.   to the poles.   About half the heat transport around the planet About half the heat transport around the planet

is by the oceans, making oceans an extremely is by the oceans, making oceans an extremely important part of the Earth's climate control important part of the Earth's climate control system. system. 

If ocean circulation is changed by global If ocean circulation is changed by global warming, major changes in climate are warming, major changes in climate are therefore likely. therefore likely. 

RELATED

RELATED

a Labrador Current b East Greenland C.c North Atlantic Drift d Gulf Stream e Canary C. f North Equatorial C. g Caribbean C. h South Equatorial C. i Benguela C. j Brazil C. k Falkland C. l West Wind Drift m West Australian C.

n South Equatorial C. o Mozambique C. p Agulhas C. q Monsoon Drift r Kamchatka C./Oya Shio s Kuro Shio C. t North Pacific Drift u California C. v North Equatorial C. w Peru/ Humboldt C. x South Equatorial C. y East Australia C. z East Auckland C.

Ocean Ocean CurrentsCurrents

http://www.poemsinc.org/oceano/currents.htm

Greenhouse Greenhouse EffectEffect

The warming effect of the Earth’s atmosphere is called The warming effect of the Earth’s atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect. the greenhouse effect.

Gases in the atmosphere that trap solar energy are called Gases in the atmosphere that trap solar energy are called greenhouse gasesgreenhouse gases Water vaporWater vapor Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide MethaneMethane

Human Activities that ADD greenhouse gases: Human Activities that ADD greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (produced for example, by the burning of fossil carbon dioxide (produced for example, by the burning of fossil

fuels) fuels) nitrogen oxides (from car exhausts)nitrogen oxides (from car exhausts)

Result – could be GOBAL WARMINGResult – could be GOBAL WARMING

Possible effects of the global warmingPossible effects of the global warming

PositivePositiveFarmers in cooler regions could plant two crops a year

NegativeHigher temperature leads to water evaporating more

quickly from soil – leading to “dust bowl” conditionsRise in ocean temperatures could spawn more hurricanesRise in water temperatures would cause the water to

expand, raising sea levels around the worldGlaciers and polar ice caps might partially melt

CFCs (from aerosols and refrigerators)CFCs (from aerosols and refrigerators)

What is Ozone?What is Ozone? Ozone is made of three oxygen atoms (OOzone is made of three oxygen atoms (O33). The oxygen we find in our ). The oxygen we find in our

atmosphere is made up of two oxygen atoms (Oatmosphere is made up of two oxygen atoms (O22). Because of its chemical ). Because of its chemical formulation, a single atom of oxygen (O) is unstable. That is, it wants to combine formulation, a single atom of oxygen (O) is unstable. That is, it wants to combine with something else. That is why oxygen is almost always found in pairs, in its with something else. That is why oxygen is almost always found in pairs, in its OO2 2 (diatomic) form, where it is more stable. Ozone is less stable than O(diatomic) form, where it is more stable. Ozone is less stable than O22, , because it wants to return to the diatomic state by giving up an oxygen atombecause it wants to return to the diatomic state by giving up an oxygen atom

Ozone is unstable and will readily combine with other atoms.Ozone is unstable and will readily combine with other atoms.

Ozone is found in the stratosphere, where it blocks the sun's ultraviolet (UV) Ozone is found in the stratosphere, where it blocks the sun's ultraviolet (UV) waves and prevents them from reaching the earth's surface.waves and prevents them from reaching the earth's surface.

Ozone is also found in the troposphere, where it can damage living tissue and Ozone is also found in the troposphere, where it can damage living tissue and human-produced objects. It is generated both from certain types of pollution and human-produced objects. It is generated both from certain types of pollution and natural sources.natural sources.

Ozone is constantly being formed in the earth's atmosphere by the action of the Ozone is constantly being formed in the earth's atmosphere by the action of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on oxygen molecules. Ultraviolet light splits the sun's ultraviolet radiation on oxygen molecules. Ultraviolet light splits the molecules apart by breaking the bonds between the atoms. A highly reactive molecules apart by breaking the bonds between the atoms. A highly reactive free oxygen atom then collides with another oxygen molecule to form an ozone free oxygen atom then collides with another oxygen molecule to form an ozone molecule. Because ozone is unstable, ultraviolet light quickly breaks it up, and molecule. Because ozone is unstable, ultraviolet light quickly breaks it up, and the process begins again. the process begins again.

http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_5_1.htm

Ozone (OOzone (O33))

Cause of thinning ozone layerCause of thinning ozone layerChemicals produced by humansChemicals produced by humans

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) from refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners for from refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners for

electronic parts, spray canselectronic parts, spray cans

Result Ultraviolet radiation breakdown CFC molecules

into atoms, including chlorine (Cl)Chlorine breaks ozone down into oxygen atoms

Air PollutionAir Pollution

Harmful substances in the airHarmful substances in the airSome is naturally occurring – pollen, Some is naturally occurring – pollen,

volcanic ashvolcanic ashMuch is caused by human activityMuch is caused by human activity

Most is a result of burning fossil fuelsMost is a result of burning fossil fuelsCoal, oil, gasoline, diesel fuelCoal, oil, gasoline, diesel fuel

≈ ≈ ½ comes from motor vehicles (trucks, buses, ½ comes from motor vehicles (trucks, buses, cars, lawn mowers, scooters cars, lawn mowers, scooters

≈≈¼ comes from electric power plants and ¼ comes from electric power plants and factories burning coal and oilfactories burning coal and oil

Photochemical SmogPhotochemical Smog

Caused by the action of sunlight on chemicalsCaused by the action of sunlight on chemicals

Nitrogen oxides – Nitrogen Oxide (NO) Nitrogen oxides – Nitrogen Oxide (NO) produced from burning fossil fuels reacts with produced from burning fossil fuels reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere to make Nitrogen oxygen in the atmosphere to make Nitrogen Dioxide (NODioxide (NO22))

Hydrocarbons – organics given off by some Hydrocarbons – organics given off by some plants, from fuels evaporating and incomplete plants, from fuels evaporating and incomplete burning of fuelburning of fuel

These along with others react with each other in These along with others react with each other in the presence of sunlight to form a mix of ozone and the presence of sunlight to form a mix of ozone and other chemicalsother chemicals

SMOGSMOG

SMOGSMOG

http://www.osc.edu/research/pcrm/transport/ozone.shtmlhttp://www.osc.edu/research/pcrm/transport/ozone.shtml

Sulfur dioxide (SOSulfur dioxide (SO22) and nitrogen oxides ) and nitrogen oxides

(NO(NOXX) released into the air from burning ) released into the air from burning

fossil fuels.fossil fuels.Combined with water and other Combined with water and other chemicals, sulfur and nitrogen oxides chemicals, sulfur and nitrogen oxides become sulfuric and nitric acid. become sulfuric and nitric acid. These acids may travel long distances These acids may travel long distances before falling to the earth as rain, snow, before falling to the earth as rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, dew or dust.sleet, hail, fog, dew or dust.

ACID RAIN – What is it?ACID RAIN – What is it?

ACID RAIN – How do you know?ACID RAIN – How do you know?

Acid rain is measured using the pH scale. Acid rain is measured using the pH scale. The pH scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 The pH scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14

(most alkaline). Seven is neutral. (most alkaline). Seven is neutral. Rain is by nature slightly acidic, with a Rain is by nature slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.6pH of 5.6. .

Any precipitation below that is considered Any precipitation below that is considered "acid rain""acid rain". . Because the scale is logarithmic, a pH of 4.6 is ten Because the scale is logarithmic, a pH of 4.6 is ten

times more acidic than normal rainwater and a pH of 3.6 times more acidic than normal rainwater and a pH of 3.6 is a hundred times more acidic. is a hundred times more acidic.

The average pH of rain in Vermont is between 4.2 The average pH of rain in Vermont is between 4.2 and 4.4 with extremes ranging from 2.4 to 7.4.and 4.4 with extremes ranging from 2.4 to 7.4.

VermontVermont

ACID RAIN – Solutions?ACID RAIN – Solutions? SCRUBBERSSCRUBBERS - filters in smokestacks of factories and power - filters in smokestacks of factories and power

plants to remove pollutants Very expensive to install.plants to remove pollutants Very expensive to install.

USE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PRODUCTION METHODSUSE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PRODUCTION METHODS – – Wind or solar power not harmful to the environment. Wind or solar power not harmful to the environment. However, the cost of replacing all of the fossil fuel power However, the cost of replacing all of the fossil fuel power stations with either wind farms or solar power is prohibitive stations with either wind farms or solar power is prohibitive and almost impossible. It would take 600 wind turbines to and almost impossible. It would take 600 wind turbines to produce the same electricity as one coal-fired power station. produce the same electricity as one coal-fired power station.

USE LESS ENERGYUSE LESS ENERGY – insulate houses better, lower – insulate houses better, lower ceilings, use the car less, walk more, bicycle, public ceilings, use the car less, walk more, bicycle, public transportationtransportation

CATALYTIC CONVERTERSCATALYTIC CONVERTERS - catalytic converters on car - catalytic converters on car exhausts remove around 90% of the pollutants released exhausts remove around 90% of the pollutants released during the combustion process.during the combustion process.