Earth's Atmosphere & Heat Transfer

Nitrogen (78%)

What gas makes up the majority of the Earth's atmosphere?

We wouldn't be able to breathe.

What might happen if the earth didn't have an atmosphere?

Convection

Movement in a gas or liquid in which the warmer parts move up and the colder parts move down; the transfer of thermal energy from hot places to cold places.

Ozone layer

A gas that absorbs harmful UV rays and protects us from too much solar radiation.

Radiation

A method of heat transfer that doesn't rely on any contact between the heat source and the heated object. It is also the process by which energy is released as particles or waves.

How can heat be transferred?

Heat can be transferred from one place to another by three methods: conduction in solids, convection of fluids (liquids or gasses), and radiation through anything that will allow radiation to pass. The method used to transfer heat is usually the one that is the most efficient.

The troposphere

If you wanted to fly through a cloud, which atmospheric layer would you fly through?

Heat ☀🔥🌡

In the name "thermosphere," the prefix "thermo" refers to what?

Stratosphere

In this layer, ozone converts UV rays to infrared. This is also where supersonic jets & aircrafts fly. Radiation and conduction occur in this layer. Temperatures here increase with altitude.

Troposphere, stratosphere, exosphere

Place the following atmospheric layers in sequence, from lowest to highest: Exosphere, stratosphere, troposphere.

Energy

The capacity to cause change. Potential energy- is energy stored in an object due to its position. Kinetic energy- is energy possessed by an object in motion and can be converted into thermal energy.

Example of radiation

The energy transferred by radiation moves at the speed of light. For example, if I place an object (such as a coin, a car, or myself) under the direct sunbeams, I will note in a little while that the object will be heated. The exchange of heat between the Sun and the object occurs by radiation.

Which region of the atmosphere is filled with charged particles?

The ionosphere

Example of conduction

The molecules of a given point of a system which are at higher temperature vibrate faster than the molecules of other points of the same system -or of other systems- which are at lower temperature. The molecules with a higher movement collide with the less energized molecules and transfer part of their energy to the less energized molecules of the colder regions of the structure. For example, the heat transfer by conduction through the bodywork of a car.

Conduction

The process by which heat or electricity is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature or of electrical potential between adjoining regions, without movement of the material. It is the flow of heat through solids and liquids by vibration and collision of molecules and free electrons. The substances in which heat are between transferred to are in direct contact with each other.

The stratosphere

The temperature gets warmer the higher you go.

Ionosphere

This is a region of the atmosphere that's filled with charged particles. It overlaps the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. This layer reflects radio waves and helps with GPS navigation, radio, and satellite communication. It is 48 km above the surface towards space

Thermosphere

This is the hottest layer of the atmosphere and it includes the ionosphere. The International Space Station (ISS) and other satellites orbit here; the molecules are too spread out for conduction/convection to occur. This layer has radiation heat transfer. Auroras (northern lights) take place here.

Troposphere

This is the lowest layer and is where the commercial jet is. Weather also occurs in this layer. All 3 types of heat transfers: conduction, convection, and radiation occur in this layer.

Mesosphere

This is where most meteors burn up. This layer gets heat conducted from the stratosphere. This layer is the coldest layer of the atmosphere and decreases in temperature the further you go up. Conduction and convection are the heat transfers that occur in this layer.

Exosphere

This layer is the upper limit (highest layer) of the atmosphere. The molecules are too spread out for conduction/convection to occur. Radiation energy transfer occurs in this layer. It is not stable so, the moving molecules in this layer can fall towards Earth or shoot out into space.

Example of convection

When heating up water on a stove, the volume of water at the bottom of the pot will be warmed up by conduction from the metallic bottom of the pot and its density decreases. Given that it gets lesser dense, it shifts upwards up to the surface of the volume of water and displaces the upper -colder and denser mass of water downwards, to the bottom of the pot.

❄Extremely cold❄

Which term accurately describes the mesosphere?

Because atmospheric gases become thinner the higher you go.

Why is it difficult to breathe at high altitudes?

Because it blocks harmful ultraviolet rays.

Why is the ozone layer so important?