Atmosphere notes

What is The Atmosphere?

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Combination of gases, dust, water droplets, and ice crystals

Surrounds the earth.
Extends from the Earths surface to outer space.

What is the Atmosphere made of?

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Earths atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen (78 percent) and oxygen (21
percent)
The amounts of nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere are fairly constant
over recent time.
Variable gases:
o The concentrations of some atmospheric gases are not as constant
over time
o Water vapor
o Ozone
o Carbon dioxide
Atmosphere particles:
o Contains variable amounts of solids in the form of tiny particles, such
as dust, salt, and ice.
o Fungi and bacteria are often attached to these particles.

What are the layers of the Atmosphere?

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Troposphere
o Closest to the earths surface
o Contains most of the atmospheres mass
o Weather only occurs in this layer.
o Air temperature decreases with altitude.
o Top is called tropopause
Stratosphere
o Above tropopause.
o Contains the ozone layer.
o Air temperature increases with altitude since the ozone layer absorbs
the suns energy.
o Ends at the stratopause.
Mesosphere
o Above the stratopause.
o Air temperature decreases with altitude since very little solar radiation
is absorbed.
o Ends at mesopause.
Thermosphere
o Low air density so temperature rises (can be over 1,000 degrees
Celsius)
o Contains the Ionosphere (made up of charged particles)

o Ends at thermopause.
Exosphere
o Outermost layer
o Transitional region between the Earths atmosphere and outer space.
o Satellites are in this layer.

How is Heat transferred?

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All matter is made of particles in constant, random motion!

These moving particles contain kinetic energy.
Energy transfer in the Atmosphere:
o Radiation
Transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves
Thermal energy is transferred from the sun to earth by radiation.
Solar radiation is either reflected back into space or absorbed by
Earths atmosphere or its surface.
o Conduction
Transfer of thermal energy when objects at two different
temperatures are in contact
Occurs between the earths surface and lowest part of the
atmosphere.
o Convection
Transfer of thermal energy by the movement of heated material
from one place to another.