Download Chapter 1 Atmosphere Notes

CHAPTER 1 ATMOSPHERE
SECTION 1 EARTHʼS ATMOSPHERE
Atmosphere
-a thin layer of air that forms a protective covering around Earth
-maintains a balance of heat absorbed from the Sun
-mixture of gases, solids, (pollen, dust, and salt) and liquids
-nitrogen 78%
-oxygen 21%
Layers of the Atmosphere
-Five layers
-Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
Troposphere
-Lowest level, closest to Earthʼs surface
-Extends up to 10km (33,000 ft)
-All weather takes place here; rain, snow, and clouds
- 99 % of water vapor, 75 % of gases
Stratosphere
-Extends from 10km to 50km (164,000 ft)
-Contains a high level of gas called Ozone
-Ozone Layer
-Mesosphere
-Extends from 50 km to 85km (278,000 ft)
-Shooting star are seen here
Thermosphere
-High Temperatures (closer to the Sun)
-Thickest Layer
-Between 85km to 500km (1,640,000 ft)
-Ionosphere- contains electrically charged particles, that carry radio
waves. (NOT a layer of atmosphere)
Exosphere
-Above thermosphere
-Spacecraft orbit level
Atmospheric Pressure
-Atmospheric gases have mass
-Gravity pulls molecules closer to the surface of the Earth
Temperatures in the Atmospheric Layers
Troposphere- Temperatures decrease with height
Stratosphere- Temperatures increase with height (Ozone)
Mesosphere- Temperatures decrease with height
Thermosphere- Increase, closer to the Sun
Ozone Layer
-Located in Stratosphere
-Contains high levels of Ozone (gas)
-protect us from UV Radiation from the Sun which can cause cancer
CFCʼS
-Chlorofluorocarbons
-Destroy Ozone molecules
-Used in refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol cans, and foam
packages
-Ozone Hole over Antarctica
SECTION 2: ENERGY TRANSFER IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Heat
-energy that flows from an object with higher temperature to an object
with lower temperature
-Heat can be transferred in three ways
1. Radiation
2. Conduction
3. Convection
-Radiation-energy transferred in the form of rays or waves (feel heat
from an object without touching the source)
ex: Heat from campfire, light, or stove
-Conduction-Transfer of energy when molecules bump into one
another (CONTACT)
ex: Hot Sand, Toaster
-Convection- is the transfer of heat from the flow (movement) of
material (molecules) which circulates (cycles) through the
atmosphere
-Warm-Rises and Cold Air Sinks
-Warm Air moves fast and Cold air moves slow
Water Cycle- Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Runoff
-Evaporation-water is warmed, liquid to a gas
-Condensation-water vapor cools, gas to a liquid
-Precipitation-Rain, Snow, Sleet, Hail
-Runoff-land to body of water
Hydrosphere-describes all waters on Earthʼs surface
SECTION 3: AIR MOVEMENT
-Wind- Movement of air from an area of high pressure (cold air) to an
area of low pressure (warm air)
High Pressure- Heavy Air (cold air) that sinks in the atmosphere
Low Pressure- Light Air (warm air) that rises in the atmosphere
-Coriolis Effect- the rotation of the Earth which causes the air and
water to appear to turn to the right north of the equator and to the left
south of the equator
-Global Winds-determine major weather patterns-uneven heating of
the Earth
-Trade Winds- blow between 0°-30°latitude north and south of the
equator, in tropical regions
-Prevailing Westerlies- blow between 30°-60° latitude north and south
of the equator, responsible for wind and weather in the United Stated
-Polar Easterlies- blow at the poles
-Doldrums- windless rainy zone at the equator-no horizontal wind
-Jet Stream-stong belt of wind at upper troposphere-moves from west
to east
Sea Breeze-during the day, solar radiation warms land more than
water; air over water flows inland
Land Breeze-at night, air moves from land toward the water