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1 Atmosphere
1 Atmosphere
Unit 3_Meterology
Earth Atmosphere
Unique no other planet in our solar systems
has conditions and heat needed to sustain life.
Earths motion and energy from sun produce
a variety of weather. Why do we care about
that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6jIMkPwahQ
Atmosphere
Atmos = vapor (greek)
The layer of gases that surround the Earth.
-Contain of chemical elements and
compounds commonly called air.
-Protects the Earths surface from the
suns radiation and helps regulate the
temperature.
Past Atmosphere
Ammonia
Methane
NH3
CH4
H2O
N2 O2 CO2
Todays atmosphere
Nitrogen: 78%
Oxygen: 21%
Nitrogen Cycle
Oxygen Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Water Cycle
Layers of Atmosphere
4 main layers divided based on
temperature.
Density decreases as
altitude increases
(sometimes: the air thins
as you travel away from Earth).
Textbook p. 518-520
Look at the key and label those items also on your drawing
Troposphere
tropein (greek) to change, circulate or
mix
Stratosphere
strat - layers
Above troposphere. Temperature increases
as you do. Cold and thin layer.
Most of the ozone in this layer
Strong eastward winds called jet stream
Think AIRPLANE
Ozone Layer
Form of oxygen (O3).
Ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet
radiation (UV) from the sun.
CFCs ( chlorofluorocarbon) change the O3 to O2.
Ozone
How many ozone atoms does one CFC
molecule destroy?
100,000 ozone molecules
Mesosphere
meso=middle
Middle layer of the atmosphere
Coldest temperatures
Protects earth from meteoroids
Thermosphere
Thermos (greek) heat
4th layer above the mesosphere. Warmest
layer.
2 parts: ionosphere and exosphere
Auroras here
Ionosphere
lower part of the thermosphere.
Auroras
Interactions between solar radiation and
ionosphere (lower part of the thermosphere).
Latin meaning sunrise or the Roman goddess
of dawn.
Northern & Southern Lights
Exosphere
Exo (greek) = outside, beyond
The Atmosphere
contains layers based
on
temperature
???
which is affected
by
altitude
Why?
Atmospheric Pressure
Weight of the air on Earths
surface.
The Atmosphere
contains layers based
on
temperature
???
which is affected
by
altitude
Earth-Sun Relationships
All energy that drives weather and climate comes
from the sun.
Earth absorbs only a tiny bit of energy given off by
sun.
Solar energy is not distributed evenly.
Latitude
Time of day
Season
Solar Energy
Earths atmosphere is heated by the transfer of
energy from the sun.
Some of the heat is absorbed by atmosphere,
land and oceans. Some of the heat is
reflected.
Heat
Radiation
Transfer of heat through waves.
All forms of energy that travel through space as
waves.
Examples of RADIATION
1. Fire
2. Heat Lamps
3. Sun
Conduction
Transfer of heat through contact.
EXAMPLE OF CONDUCTION
A piece of cheese melts as heat is transferred
from the meat to the cheese (Contact)
Convection
Transfer of heat through a medium.
because of uneven temperature and density
Explaining Convection
Convection
currents cause
the cooler breezes
you experience by
a large body of
water.
These currents
also cause the
movement of
magma within the
earth.
Convection
Transfer of heat through a medium (air or water)
Radiation
Transfer of heat through waves (sun)
Greenhouse Effect
The warming of the Earth when gases absorb
infrared radiation.
Greenhouse
Sunlight goes through glass
Objects absorb some radiant
energy
Objects radiate thermal energy
(heat)
Glass prevents energy from
escaping
Warms the Greenhouse
Greenhouse Gases
Carbon Dioxide,
Water Vapor,
Methane,
Nitrous Oxide
Human Impact
Altitude
Heating of
Land and
Water
Latitude
and
Season
Geographic
Position
Factors that
Affect
Temperature
Ocean
Currents
Cloud
Cover
Altitude
The higher the
altitude of a
location, the
cooler.
Geographic Position
Examples:
Mountains can act as a barrier for temperature.
Marine effects (water) usually warmer in the winters, and
Ocean Currents
Where winds blow from the ocean onto the land
v. winds blowing towards the ocean.
Cloud Cover
Reflect or absorb heat
Albedo
The amount (%)
reflected off the
surface.
Mirage
Warm air near surfaces bends light.
Altitude
Heating of
Land and
Water
Latitude
and
Season
Geographic
Position
Factors that
Affect
Temperature
Ocean
Currents
Cloud
Cover
Thermometer
1596 Galileo Galilei and the first thermoscope
Galileo's instrument did not do this, but merely indicated temperature
differences. His instrument should rightly be called a thermoscope.
In Michigan
5146
Feb. 9, 1934
112 F (44 C)
Winds
Wind moves from high to low pressure
larger the pressure difference - faster winds
move
Rising of warm air at equator & cooling of cold
air at the poles
Caused by differences in air pressure due to
unequal heating of the air.
Two types: global & local
Global Winds
Air that flows long distances and specific
direction.
Looping patterned called convection cells.
6 wind belts or convection cells in an specific
area.
Global Winds
2-3 facts on each type of wind p. 527-530
Trade winds
--include direction
--location
--type of wind (strong/weak?)
Doldrums
--type of wind( strong/weak?)
--location
Horse Latitude
--type of wind( strong/weak?)
--location
Westerlies
--type of wind
--direction
--how it benefits us
Easterlies
--type of wind
--location
Trade Winds
Strong
From 30 latitude to equator
E
W
many trading ships sailed on
winds
Doldrums
Problem for
Sailing no wind
Horse Latitude
30 N&S subtropical zones high pressure
very weak winds.*
sometimes had to throw horses overboard because ran out of food for them
Westerlies
Between 30 and 60 degree latitude
W
E
Strong winds good for sailors
Application
What do the westerlies have to do with the
general movement of storms we see in our
country?
Jet Streams
Local Winds
influence by geography of area
Shoreline or mountain/valley
temperature differences
Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G
vXPtQuQtiU
Air pollution
Pollution sources
Primary pollutant
Secondary pollutant
Problems
Humidity
Amount of water vapor in air.
Relative Humidity
how near the water is to saturation.
Saturation rate of evaporation = rate of
condensation .
Relative humidity changes:
Change moisture
Temperature
1.
2.
Humid air
rises - less dense than dry air.
Water molecules are lighter than N2 and O2
Dew Point
Another measure of humidity
Temperature to which a parcel of air would
need to be cooled to reach saturation.
water vapor condensing on grass - dew
Clouds
Collection of small water droplets or ice
crystals suspended in the air, which forms
when the air is cooled and condensation
occurs.
Warm up
What are some factors
that you think might
determine cloud
height?
Precipitation
any form of water (solid or liquid) that falls to
Earths surface from the clouds
rain, snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain
Types of Precipitation
Rain - Water vapor condenses, droplets form
and become heavy. They fall.
Snow - Water VAPOR freezes.
Hail - Water droplets are swept up within
cloud, go through the freezing layer and keep
building (frozen balls of ice).
Freezing rain - Droplets hit the frozen
ground. Freezing instantly.
Sleet - droplets go through freezing layer and
come down slushy.
Rain Trivia
Factors controlling the distribution are the belts of
converging-ascending air flow, air temperature, moisturebearing winds, ocean currents, distance inland from the
coast, and mountain ranges.
The highest amount of rainfall ever recorded in 24 hours is
182.5 centimetres (71.9 inches) in Foc-Foc, La Runion. This
occurred during tropical cyclone Denise on January 8, 1966.
The highest amount of rainfall ever recorded in one year is
25.4 meters (1000 inches) in Cherrapunji, India.
Snow Trivia
Largest recorded snowflake is 38 cm (15 inches) wide.
Most snowflakes form usually 6 sided crystal patterns. Shape based
on temperature.
Roughly 12% of the Earths land is covered in permanent snow and
ice.
Snow is white because it reflects all the colors equally.
Greatest Seasonal Snowfall: 1,140 inches. Mt. Baker, WA. Jul 1,
1998 - Jun 1, 1999
Greatest Snow Depth record: 451 inches, Sierra Nevada
Mountains, Mar 11, 1911. (390 inches in a month - Mar 11, 1911)
465.4 inches in 1927 on Mt. Ibuki Japan.
Most Snow measured in 24 hours: 77 inches - Montague, NY 1997
Hail Trivia