Download the atmosphere - Warren County Schools

THE ATMOSPHERE
I CAN EXPLAIN HOW HEAT IS TRANSFERRED IN
THE ATMOSPHERE.
I CAN DESCRIBE CONDUCTION.
I CAN DESCRIBE CONVECTION.
I CAN DESCRIBE RADIATION.
I CAN DESCRIBE WINDS CREATED BY UNEVEN
HEATING.
I CAN DESCRIBE POLLUTION.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Air Pressure- the measure of the force with which the
air molecules push on a surface.
Air pressure changes throughout the atmosphere
The atmosphere is held by a planet’s gravity
Temperature
Altitude- the height of an object above the Earth’s
surface.
Air temperature also changes as you increase
altitude.
TEMPERATURE AND HEAT
Temperature- a measure of the average energy of
particles in motion.
A high temperature means that the particles are
moving fast.
Heat- transfer of energy between objects at different
temperatures.
Energy in the ATMOSPHERE
Radiation- the transfer of energy as
electromagnetic waves. (Sunlight)
The radiation absorbed by land, water, and
atmosphere is changed into thermal (heat) energy
Conduction- is the transfer of thermal energy from
one material to another by direct contact.
Energy in the Atmosphere
Convection- the transfer of thermal energy by the
circulation or movement of a liquid or gas.
The continual process of warm air rising and cool air
sinking creates a circular movement of air called
convection current.
Greenhouse effect
50% of the radiation that enters the Earth’s
atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
The Earth’s heating process, in which the gases in
the atmosphere trap thermal energy, is known as the
greenhouse effect.
A rise in average global temperature is called global
warming.
Winds
Wind is moving air
Wind is created by differences in air pressure.
Because air moves from areas of high pressure areas
of low pressure. Winds generally move from the poles
to the equator.
Atmospheric pressure and
winds
The curving of moving objects, such as wind, by the
Earth’s rotation is called the Coriolis effect.
Types of Winds
There are two mains of winds: local winds and global
winds
Local Winds generally move short distances and can
blow from any direction
Global Winds are part of a pattern of air circulation
that moves across the Earth.
Types of Winds
In both hemispheres, the winds that blow from 30º
latitude to the equator are called trade winds.
The westerlies are wind belts found in both the
Northern and Southern Hemispheres between 30º
and 60º latitude.
Type of Winds
The polar easterlies are wind belts that extend from
the poles to 60º latitude in both hemispheres.
The jet streams are narrow belts of high-speed winds
that blow in the upper troposphere and lower
stratosphere.
Air Pollution
Primary pollutants are pollutants that are put directly
into the air by human or natural activity.
Example: ash and soot are primary pollutants
Air Pollution
Secondary pollutants are pollutants that form from the
chemical reactions that occur.
Ozone and smog are secondary pollutants.
Precipitation that contains acids from air pollution is
called acid precipitation.