Name: Date: per.

3. Where does the atmosphere thin out the fastest (decrease in pressure), close to the
Investigating the Atmosphere surface of the earth or farther from the surface? Support your answer.

Solar radiation travels through space at a speed close to

300,000 km per second (or 186,000 miles per hour). Taking
about 8 minutes to reach the earth. this energy then strikes the 4. What percentage of the atmosphere would you pass through if you could get as high as
outer boundary of the earth's abnosphere. The many affects of 5 km above sea level?
this solar radiation are great. From driving photosynthesis and
the water cycle to warming Earth's surface and causing skin
cancers, the sun is the Earth's ultimate source of energy. In
this activity you will be plotting graphs to show how pressure 5. Using a.colored, dotted line, indicate where you predict layers to start and stop as you
and temperature change with altitude. After plotting this data increase in altitude.
you will make conclusions about whether the atmosphere is uniform or whether it varies with
altitude. Table 2. Atmos heric Tem erature and Pressure
Altitude Average Average
Procedures. (in Km) Pressure Temperature
(in millibars
Step 1. Your first step is to gain familiarity with the scales used in the graphs. Add small
O sea level 1000 +15
drawings to the graph to indicate the following information.
5 500 -17
Table Understandin Altitude
1. 10 -50

H' hest eak in the world Mt. Everest About 9 km 29 035 ft 15 100 -60
hest eak in North America Mt. McKinle about 6.2 km 20 320 ft 20 -60
Hei ht of Santia o Peak About 1.8 km 5687 ft 25 -60
Hi hest eak in Califomia Mt. Whitne About 4.4 km 14 491 ft 30 10 -45
Clouds U to about 12 km 35 -30
Commercial Air lanes Between 9 and 13 km 40 -15
Su ersonic •ets About 19 km 45 1

Area of maximum ozone concentration About 25 km 50

Aurora borealis Between 100 and 250 km 55
Satellites Between 200 and 36 500 km 60 0.1 -10
65 -25
70 -40
Step 2. The table on the following page (Table 2) presents the average pressure and average
temperature measured for the different heights in the atmosphere. Plot the average pressure 75 0.01 -55
data on the blank graph. Do Not plot the temperature data at this time. 80 -70
After being instructed on the use of semi-log graph paper, plot the pressure data on the 85 -85
semi-log paper also. Once you have finished graphing this data both times, answer questions 90 0.001 -85
I 6 (below) based on your analysis of your graphs. 95
100 -65
Questions for Analysis: 120 0.00001
1. Is pressure uniform throughout the atmosphere, or does it change? If it changes. in
which way does it change?
Step 3. Now it is time to plot the temperature data on the same graph on which you
plotted the pressure data. You should use a color to distinguish between the two sets of
data. [note: you will not plot the temperature data on the semi-log paper]
2. If it changes, where is the pressure the greatest, and where is the pressure the lowest?
Once you have plotted this data, answer the questions below.

1
2
 LESSON I

6. Is the temperature uniform throughout the atrnosphere, or does it change?

7. If it changes, where is the temperature the hottest, and where it the temperature the
coldest?

8. Where does the atmosphere cool with increasing altitude?

9. Where does the atmosphere heat with increasing altitude?

10. Where does the temperature stay constant with increasing altitude?

11.Why do you think the atmosphere is warm at the bottom, near the Earth's surface?

12. Starting at the surface of the earth the layers of the atmosphere are called the
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Label these on your
graph and lightly shade in this region with different colors.