Composition of the atmosphere and properties of the atmosphere

Ozone Layer

A layer of O3 gas in the stratosphere that protects the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

What are trace gases?

Gases found in small amounts that make up less that 1% of our atmosphere. Trace gases include carbon dioxide, methane, argon and other green house gases.

What are greenhouse gases and how do they help and hurt the Earth?

Green house gases are trace gases in our atmosphere that keep heat in the Earth. Carbon dioxide is one of the major green house gases. Methane and ozone are also green house gases. Without greenhouse gases, the Earth would be too cold for life. Too much greenhouse gases can be caused by burning fossil fuels and causes global warming. Global warming is harmful to the Earth.

How and why does temperature change with altitude (height)?

Heat is stored in each individual air molecule and not in the empty space between them. Overall, as you rise in the atmosphere, the temperature gets colder and colder because the air molecules get further and further apart.

Altitude

Height

Name the layers of the atmosphere in order from the ground up.

Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Exosphere

Water Vapor

Water in the atmosphere that is in the form of a gas.

If a layer of the atmosphere is heated by conduction, the layer is hotter on the _______ and colder on the ______. The ________ are heated by conduction.

bottom / top / troposphere and mesosphere

If a layer of the atmosphere is heated by radiation, the layer is ______ on the top of the layer and ________ on the bottom of the layer. The _____ are heated by radiation.

hotter / colder / stratosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere

What are 4 sudden changes that can put particles in the atmosphere?

volcanic eruptions, forest fires, dust storms, human pollution

Examples of solid particles found in the atmosphere

water droplets, sea salt, sand, dust

What gases make up the the atmosphere and what percentage of the atmosphere do they each make up?

Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (21%) Trace Gases (1%)

What are 8 Important pieces of information about air pressure?

*Air has weight. *Air presses all around us, not just down. *Air molecules are in constant motion and are pulled to Earth by gravity. The force of this movement and gravity causes air pressure. *Differences in air pressure are caused by uneven heating of the Earth by the sun. *Air pressure decreases as you go up in altitude (height). This is why your ears may pop when you go up a mountain or in an airplane. This discomfort is because the air pressure is temporarily different on the inside and outside of your eardrum. *The highest layer of the atmosphere (exosphere) has the least air pressure and the lowest layer of the atmosphere (troposphere) has the greatest air pressure *air pressure is measured with a barometer. *Differences in air pressure and changes in air pressure influence the weather. HIgh air pressure brings on calm and sunny weather while low air pressure systems are associated with lousy weather and storms.

What are 3 important facts about air density?

*Density is the mass per unit of volume *The density of the air is highest near the ground in the troposphere and gets less and less as you rise in altitude. *It is hard to breathe at high altitudes because the air density is low, meaning the molecules are very spread out (thinner) and there is less air per cubic inch. *Even though there is less air or less air density as you go up a mountain or up in altitude, the percent of oxygen and nitrogen is always the same, oxygen 21% and nitrogen 78%.

Describe the Exosphere

*Extends into the vacuum of space. *The exosphere has gases like hydrogen and helium, but the molecules are very spread out and it is mostly empty space. *The exosphere is very cold. *Satellites orbit the Earth in the exosphere and thermosphere.

Describe the Troposphere

*The 1st or bottom layer of the atmosphere. *This is the layer where we live *This is the layer where most to all of the Earth's water is located and where weather and clouds occur. *The troposphere contains over 75% of the mass of all the atmosphere's gases.

Describe the Stratosphere

*The 2nd layer of the atmosphere *contains the ozone layer. The ozone layer in the stratosphere is responsible for protecting the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (u.v) radiation. *lower border of the stratosphere contains the jet stream. The jet stream is a global wind the flows west to east. Planes often fly in the jet stream to go faster and save fuel.

Describe the Mesosphere

*The 3rd layer of the atmosphere *The coldest layer of the atmosphere. *Where meteorites burn up due to friction.

Describe the Thermosphere

*The 4th layer of the atmosphere. *It contains the ionosphere (electrically charged gases) which make radio waves possible and cause the northern lights. The ionosphere also overlaps the lower mesosphere. *Satellites orbit the earth in the thermosphere and exosphere. *Some scientists consider the exosphere to be part of the thermosphere. *Air molecules in this layer are the hottest, but you would not feel the heat because they are spread very far apart.

What are some ways that global warming can harm the Earth.

*flooding *weather pattern changes *too much salt in estuaries and rivers which can damage the habitats where fish and sea creatures lay their eggs. *reduces fresh water that is available *increases insects, viruses, bacteria leading to more illnesses. *melting of polar ice caps *changes in the environment, habitats and ecosystems.

6 ways the atmosphere helps the Earth

1. keeps the Earth at the proper temperature 2. Provides clean water 3. influences the weather 4. protects us from meteors 5. provides gases essential for life 6. protects us from dangerous radiation from the sun

How is the troposphere heated

Radiation from the sun heats the Earth, the Earth then heats the air above it, the warm air then rises and cool air sinks causing movement of air pockets (convection).

What is atmospheric air pressure

The force exerted on the Earth's surface by the weight of the air, measured in millibars.

Atmosphere

The gases surrounding a planet which is held in place by the planet's gravity.

What are the three ways heat is transferred within the atmosphere?

conduction: touch convection: moving currents (pockets of air, air masses) radiation: energy waves (from the sun)