Download Overview of the Earth`s Atmosphere

Chapter 1: The
Earth’s Atmosphere



Overview of the Earth’s atmosphere
Vertical structure of the atmosphere
Weather and climate
Overview of the
Earth’s Atmosphere
• The atmosphere, when scaled to
the size of an apple, is no thicker
than the skin on an apple
• Water vapor molecules are invisible:
clouds;
condensation;
evaporation
Fig.1.2
Composition of the
Atmosphere

permanent gases
• roles of nitrogen
and oxygen

variable gases
• role of water vapor
Fig. 1.4
Table 1-1, p. 3
Composition of the
Atmosphere




Carbon dioxide and the greenhouse gases
ozone
aerosols
pollutants
• Ozone at high altitudes (stratosphere) is “good”;
ozone at low altitudes (troposphere) is “bad.”
FIGURE 1.3 The main
components of the
atmospheric carbon
dioxide cycle. The
gray lines show
processes that put
carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere, whereas
the red lines show
processes that remove
carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere.
Stepped Art
Fig. 1-3, p. 4
The Early Atmosphere


the first atmosphere: hydrogen, helium
outgassing and the second atmosphere
water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen

evolution of the atmosphere:
carbon dioxide and oxygen
• The evolution of life and the atmosphere are closely
linked.
Vertical Structure of
the Earth’s
Atmosphere
Radiosonde launched twice a
day to measure temperature,
humidity, wind, and pressure
of the lowest 30 km above
surface
A Brief Look at Air Pressure
and Air Density



air density
air pressure
sea-level pressure
• Baseballs travel farther in higher-altitude air (Denver)
than they do in lower-altitude air.
• Surface pressure: 1013 mb = 1013 hPa = 29.92 in.Hg
Fig. 1-7, p. 8
Fig. 1-8, p. 9
Layers of the Atmosphere


vertical temperature profile
Troposphere
lapse rate: 6.5degC/1km;
temperature inversion



stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
The Ionosphere



electrified regions of the atmosphere
D, E and F regions
radio waves
• When the radio was invented by G. Marconi in the
early 20th century, it was not known how radio
waves traveled long distances through the
atmosphere.
Fig. 1-11, p. 13
Weather and Climate
• Satellites
• Radar
• Radiosonde
• Aircraft
• Weather station
Elements of Weather







air temperature
air pressure
humidity
clouds
precipitation
visibility
wind
• Certain weather elements, like
clouds, visibility and wind, are
of particular interest to pilots.
Climate


average weather
extremes
A Satellite’s View of the
Weather

geostationary satellites
• Atmospheric observation
from satellites was an
important technological
development in
meteorology. Other
important developments
include computers, internet,
and Doppler radar.
Storms of all Sizes




midlatitude cyclonic storms
hurricanes and tropical storms
thunderstorms
tornadoes
• Storms are very exciting, but they also play an
important role in moving heat and moisture around
throughout the atmosphere.
Fig. 1.17
Fig. 1.15
A Look at a Weather Map



wind speed and direction
cyclones and anticyclones
fronts
• Wind direction is defined in the opposite way as
ocean currents: a southerly current means water is
moving towards the south.
Fig. 1-13, p. 17
Weather and Climate in our
Lives




wind chill, frostbite and hypothermia
heat exhaustion and heat stroke
cold spells, dry spells and heat waves
severe thunderstorms and flash floods
• The mathematical formula for determining the wind
chill temperature has recently been revised due to new
experiments.
Fig. 1-16, p. 19
Fig. 1.19
Fig. 1-18, p. 20