THE ATMOSPHERE

The AtmosphereAir is a MIXTURE of

gases.Nitrogen = 78%Oxygen = 21%Argon = < 1%CO2 = .039%

The AtmosphereComponents of Air

1. Gases2. Water vapor

a. Varies 0 – 4%b. Depends on location and weather pattern

3. Aerosols (solids and liquids suspended in air)

4. Ozonea. 3 atoms of oxygen bonded together. O3b. Ozone layer located at the top of the Stratosphere

Structure of AtmosphereAir Pressure

Decreases as you rise in altitude

Average = 1013.2 mb (millibars)

Measured with a barometer

Structure of Atmosphere4 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 Temp. increase

Atmospheric HeatingHeating of the Atmosphere from the Sun’s energy.3 methods of heat transfer

1. Conductiona. by contact of

molecules

2. Convectiona. By different

densities of air (hot/cold)

3. Radiationa. By electromagnetic

waves

Surface

Energy Transfer

GREEN HOUSE EFFECT Incoming radiation

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

Ozone LayerOzone Layer

O3Absorbs UV rays from sun

Changes it to heat Causes increase temperature in

stratosphere

Ozone ProblemO3 layer is getting thinnerBroken up by CFC’s

(chlorofluorocarbons)Causes increase UV rays to reach

surface (increase skin cancer)

Atmospheric Energy BudgetWhat 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%

Affect of Surface MaterialAlbedo: Reflectivity of the

surfaceHigh Albedo = Very reflective,

poor absorberLow Albedo = Good absorber,

poor reflector

Color: Darker color = good absorber

= Low AlbedoLight color = good reflector =

High Albedo

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?

Effect of Surface MaterialHow does living near the ocean affect the air

temperature?Winter?Summer?

How does living inland affect the air temperature?Winter?Summer?

Which location would have a greater change of temperature during the year?

Moisture in the AtmosphereHumidity = Amount of water vapor in the air

5g H2O/kg of airSaturated 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.

Moisture in the AtmosphereRelative 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.

Moisture in the AtmosphereDew-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?

Moisture in the AtmosphereCloudsClassified

by: 1. Height

above ground

Low Middle High

2. Appearance

Layered Puffy Wispy

CloudsCloud TYPE roots: Draw here:

1. Cirro = curly

2. Cumulo = puffy(heaped)

3. Strato = layered

4. Alto = middle level

5. Nimbo/bus = rain

CloudsClassification of clouds

Cirro = High and wispyStratus = cover whole skyCumulo = clumpy (puffy)

Examples: Description:Cirrocumulus = Altocumulus = Cirrostratus = Nimbostratus = Cumulonimbus =

Name each cloud type:

Cumulonimbus cloud = Thunderstorms

Cumulus Updraft Breaks

clouds builds vertical up

Thunderstorm:

•Heavy down pour of rain

•Thunder and lightning

•Gusty winds

•Hail

•Tornado possible