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InsideTheSchool.com’s
Atmosphere Webquest
This Webquest is based upon Internet materials from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Association’s educational Web site, JetStream.
Begin the Webquest at http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/atmos_intro.htm
Introduction http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/atmos_intro.htm
1. Why does the earth need an atmosphere?
2. Create a mnemonic picture to help you remember the four most common
atmospheric gasses that make up 99.998% of the atmosphere. Be sure to include
the gas’s atmospheric function in your picture.
Example (not one of the four gasses): methane – a greenhouse
gas that comes from animal sources
Methane
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Layers of the Atmosphere http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/layers.htm
3. Identify the four characteristics that define an atmospheric layer.
a.
b.
c.
d.
4. Using the first letter of each atmospheric layer, develop a mnemonic sentence to
help you remember the layers (in order from earth to sky).
Click on Ionosphere http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/ionosphere_max.htm
Ionosphere
5. What is the importance of the E-layer?
6. What causes the existence of the ionosphere?
7. In what atmospheric layer does the ionosphere occur?
Click on AM in the PM http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/ll_ampm.htm
AM in the PM – homework activity
You’ll need the Radio Station Reception Form. If you don’t have it, print it out here:
http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/images/ampm.pdf
Follow the directions and complete the activity for homework.
Air pressure http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/pressure.htm
8. Explain how tiny molecules in the air exert pressure.
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Optional in-class activity
Click on Air: The Weighty Subject
http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/ll_airweight.htm
Materials needed: yard or meter stick, two balloons, string, clear tape, scissors
Why does the inflated balloon drop?
Severe thunderstorms are characterized by hail and strong winds (more than 58 mph).
Why do strong winds create hazardous weather conditions?
9. Why is warm air less dense than cool air? Where in the atmosphere is the densest
air?
Optional in-class activity
Click on Crunch Time http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/ll_crunch.htm
Materials needed: two empty, clean 2-liter soda bottles with caps; two cups hot tap water
10. Why don’t Rev. Dr. Brewer’s barometric observations apply to weather in the
tropics?
The Transfer of Heat Energy http://www.srh.weather.gov/jetstream/atmos/heat.htm
Your definition
Your example
11. Radiation
12. Conduction
13. Convection
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14. Explain how radiation and convection influence the atmosphere.
The Earth-Atmosphere Energy Balance
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//atmos/energy.htm
15. Why is the earth’s climate stable?
16. What is the greenhouse effect?
17. What nighttime conditions cause the most radiation cooling?
The Hydrologic Cycle http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//atmos/hydro.htm
Evaporation
Definition
Evaporation is the change
of state in a substance from
a liquid to a gas.
Sketch
Transpiration
Condensation
Precipitation
Runoff
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Atmosphere Quiz http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/quiz/index.php
Take the quiz online until your score is 8/10 or better. Copy and paste your score result
here.
End question: Write a paragraph in which you explain how external energy from the sun
impacts the earth’s atmosphere. Devote at least a sentence to each of the following topics:
gasses in the atmosphere, atmospheric layers, air pressure, heat energy, and the
hydrologic cycle.
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Reproduction of this handout is encouraged. Please credit InsideTheSchool.com on photocopies and
handouts.
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