Download Atmosphere

Atmosphere
Atmospheric Basics
Atmospheric Composition…
• Nitrogen – 78%
• Oxygen – 21%
• Argon - .93%
• Carbon Dioxide .03%
• Water Vapor - .0
to 4%
• Trace Gases
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/21c/atmosphere/chemicalsairrev1.shtml
Key
Atmospheric
Components
• Oxygen (O2)
–Gas
–Organisms
need it to
break down
food for energy
http://schoolworkhelper.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/oxygen-transport.jpg
Key Atmospheric
Components
• Carbon
Dioxide
(CO2)
–Gas
–Minor role in
absorbing
heat
–plant
fertilizer
http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa10/ccburke/Photosynthesis.html
Key Atmospheric
Components
• Ozone (O3)
–Gas
–Absorbs
ultraviolet
radiation from
the sun
http://mmedia.pl/ozone-layer-diagram-for-kids
Key Atmospheric
Components
• Water
Vapor(H2O)
–Gas
–Major role in
absorbing heat
–source of
condensation
for clouds
Key Atmospheric
Components
• Water
–Liquid
–source of rain
Singing in the Rain!
http://mypeartreehouse.blogspot.com/
Key Atmospheric
Components
• Ice
–Solid
–Makes up
snow, sleet, &
hail
http://www.austinskiers.org/trips0910/vail0910.htm
Legendary Vail Powder!
Key Atmospheric Components
• Dust, Salt,
Volcanic Ash
– Solids
– Provide solid
surface for water
vapor to condense
(so that clouds can
form)
– Condensation
nuclei
– See next slide…
http://www.kidsgeo.com/images/ocean-waves.jpg
http://www.weatherfreaks.net/images/dust_storm3.jpg
Salt Spray from Waves
Dust Storm
The Structure of the
Atmosphere …
•http://ds9.ssl.berkeley.edu/lws_gems/3/images_3/layat510.jpg
The Structure of the
Atmosphere – The Troposphere
• Description…
– Tropo- (change)
– 0-11 km
– highest air
pressure
– Contains most
gases of the
atmosphere
• Objects Found There
– Weather
– life forms
The Structure of the
Atmosphere – The Stratosphere
• Description…
– Strato- (layer)
– 11-48 km
– Molecular heat
rises due to ozone
layer absorbing
UV radiation
• Objects Found There
– Ozone layer
– Weather balloons
The Structure of the
Atmosphere – The Mesosphere
• Description…
– Meso- (middle)
– 48-95 km
– Temperature falls
b/c there’s not a
whole lot here!
• Objects Found There
– Meteors (shooting
stars) burn here
The Structure of the Atmosphere
– The Thermosphere
• Description…
– Thermo- (heat)
– 95-550 km
– Molecular heat
rises
• Objects Found There
– Ionosphere
– Auroras
The Structure of the
Atmosphere – The Exosphere
• Description…
– Exo- (outside)
– Above 600 km
– Outermost layer
– Space!
• Objects Found There
– Some H and He
– Satellites
Temperature Variations with
Altitude
The layers are
determined
by
temperature!
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/atmosphere/atmosphere/layers.gif
What Happens to the Sun’s
Energy?
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/cascade.GIF
The State of the
Atmosphere
The Temperature of the
Atmosphere
The thermosphere is
the hottest layer of
the atmosphere but
it feels so cold…
b/c even though
molecules are
moving very fast
(which means they
are very hot), they
are so far apart that
there is no heat
transfer.
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Astronaut
Astronaut Bruce McCandless II
is feeling no heat!
The Temperature of the
Atmosphere
Dew Point - temperature to which air
must be cooled (at constant
pressure) to reach saturation.
a. Dew point tells us how much water is in
the air.
o This is when dew is formed!
o The higher the dew point, more humid
and uncomfortable the air.
Vertical Temperature Changes
How is dew point
determined?
… determine the
temperature at
which dew
(condensation)
forms by
cooling the air.
Humidity Changes with
Temperature…
What is humidity?
The amount of water air can hold at a given
temperature. This is a constant!
What is relative humidity?
The amount of water the air is actually
holding compared to how much it can hold
Relative humidity is determined
by....using a wet/dry bulb
thermometer & a relative humidity chart
Air Pressure and Density…
Density is mass (of air) per volume.
Air pressure is…
… force exerted by molecules of
atmosphere as they are pulled
toward Earth’s center by gravity.
Air Pressure and Density…
Air at the bottom of the atmosphere
(troposphere) has higher density and
pressure because...
… of the greater mass of the atmosphere
above you (it contains the most gases)
… This is similar to being at the bottom of
the ocean with tons of water above you!
… We are accustomed to the high air
pressure so it doesn’t squash us.
Temperature-Density
Relationship
Warm Air…
As temperature
increases… air
becomes less dense.
b. Warm air is less
dense and will rise.
c. The upward
movement of warm
air lowers pressure.
d. So, warm air rising
causes low pressure.
a.
Temperature-Density
Relationship
Cold Air…
a. As temperature
decreases… air
becomes more
dense.
b. Cold air is more
dense and will sink.
c. The downward
movement of cold air
raises pressure.
d. So, cold air sinking
causes high
pressure.
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/kids/Problem_Board/problems/light/sim3.html
Creating Wind…
a. Cool air, which is
denser, sinks.
b. This forces the warm
air, which is less dense
to move up.
c. Air moves from areas
of high density to
areas of low density.
d. In its simplest form,
wind can be thought of
as air moving from an
area of high pressure
to an area of low
pressure.
Wind…
The density imbalances that move air
to produce wind are created by…
The unequal heating of Earth’s
surface
Wind is measured by…
anemometers (mph or kph)
Wind speeds increase at high altitudes
b/c…
There are few to no obstacles
there
Moisture in the
Atmosphere
Three Ways Clouds Can
Form…
a. from convection
currents
b. from warm air rising
over mountains
(orographic lifting)
c. when air masses of
different temperatures
meet
Cloud Formation –
Convection Currents
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/home.rxml
Cloud Formation – Orographic Lifting
Clouds form over a mountain.
http://www.envi.hufs.ac.kr/gwlee/session6/lift.html
Cloud Formation – Frontal
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/images/cloudformation_Fronts_small.jpg
Cloud Types…Altitude
• Cirro- high
–Above 6000m
• Alto - middle
–Between
2000-6000m
• Stratus - low
–Below 2000m
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cloud_heights.html
More Clouds!
http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter5/summary.html
Meteorology
The Causes of Weather
Energy in the Atmosphere…
What two things are always in motion to
distribute heat energy on and around the
Earth?
 ocean currents
 global wind systems
What explains why the poles are never very
warm?
 The Sun’s rays don’t hit Earth as
directly at the poles as at the tropics.
(So the same amount of solar
Air Masses…
• Continental
Tropical
–Abbreviation cT
–Origin - land
–Origin - tropical
–Moisture
Content - dry
–Temperature -
http://earth.usc.edu/~stott/Catalina/WeatherPatterns.html
Air Masses…
• Maritime
Tropical
–Abbreviation mT
–Origin –
ocean/water
–Origin - tropical
–Moisture
Content humid
Air Masses…
Continental Polar
–Abbreviation - cP
–Origin - land
–Origin – high
latitudes
–Moisture Content
- dry
–Temperature –
cool or cold
Air Masses…
• Maritime Polar
–Abbreviation mP
–Origin –
ocean/water
–Origin – high
latitudes
–Moisture Content
- humid
–Temperature –
Air Masses…
• Arctic
(Continental)
–Abbreviation - cA
–Origin – land
–Origin - Arctic
–Moisture Content
– dry
–Temperature –
very cold
Air Masses That Affect Our
Weather…
Global Wind Systems
http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/9th_grade/from_global/earth_science/images/wind_patterns.gif
http://www.topnews.in/files/atmosphere_wind_patterns.jpg
2. Chart:Global Wind
Systems…
• Polar
Easterlies
–Comes from the
east
–Located between
60 degrees
latitude and the
pole in both
hemispheres
–(60° - 90°)
Global Wind Systems…
• Prevailing
Westerlies
– Comes from the
west
– Located between
30 and 60 degrees
latitude in both
hemispheres
– (30° - 60°)
– This is the wind
system that directs
Global Wind Systems…
• Trade Winds
–Comes from the
east
–Located between
the equator and
30 degrees
latitude in both
hemispheres
–(0° - 30°)
The Intertropical Convergence
Zone
What is the intertropical
convergence zone (ITCZ)?
 The area near the equator where
the trade winds converge.
 Air is forced up and creates an area of
low pressure. (Remember – warm air
rising!)
 The ITCZ provides the moisture for
many of the world’s tropical rain
forests.
 Picture on next slide…
The Doldrums…
What are the doldrums?
 Another name for the ITCZ!
 Sailing ships would often get stranded
in this area because of the light (or
no!) winds.
 The phrase, “I’m stuck in the
doldrums,” came from this
phenomenon.
Looking for wind!
Horse Latitudes…
Why were the horse latitudes so
named?
 Around the 30 degrees latitude,
sinking air creates a belt of high
pressure which causes weak winds.
 Sailors stranded here were said to
throw their horses overboard when
they couldn’t feed them!
Weather Systems in the
USA
Which global wind
system is
responsible for
much of the
movement of
weather across the
USA and Canada?
 The prevailing
westerlies
The Causes of Weather
Pressure Systems – High
Pressure
Cold air sinking
a. Fair weather
b. Rotates
clockwise
c. Represented
as a blue ‘H’
Good ‘H’air Day!
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/high_pressure.html
Pressure Systems – Low
Pressure
a. Warm air rising
b. Clouds and
precipitation
c. Rotates
counterclockwise
d. Represented as
a red ‘L’
‘L’ousy Weather
Day!
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/high_pressure.html
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_275ZCyVPoFk/TNAxxCklePI/AAAAAAAAAJs/VFM3DzpqDzg/s1600/meteo.jpg
http://www.cdli.ca/courses/sci2200/unit02_org01_ilo03/b_activity.html
Cold Front…
• Definition – Cold, dense air displaces warm
air and forces it up a steep front
• Symbol – blue icicles!
• Weather – clouds, showers, and thunder
storms
http://earth.usc.edu/~stott/Catalina/WeatherPatterns.html
http://www.cdli.ca/courses/sci2200/unit02_org01_ilo03/b_activity.html
Warm Front…
• Definition – Advancing warm air displaces
cold air and moves up slowly
• Symbol – red lava rocks!
• Weather – extensive cloudiness and
precipitation
Stationary (Stalled) Front…
• Definition – Two air masses meet and
neither advances
• Symbol – blue icicles alternate with red lava
rocks
• Weather – some clouds and precipitation
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0129-stationary-fronts.php
http://www.nvwx.com/wximages/occluded_front.png
Occluded Front…
• Definition – A cold air mass moves so rapidly
that it overtakes a warm front and wedges the
warm air up.
• Symbol – purple alternating rocks/icicles
• Weather – precipitation on both sides of the
front
http://www.aggiecat.com/Logs/logs-0016-Jan-08/occluded_front_sm.jpg
Gathering Weather Data
Thermometer
– Measures
temperature
– Degrees
Celsius or
Fahrenheit
– Thermometers
contain liquids
that expand
when heated.
Barometer
• Measures air
pressure
• Millibars or
inches of
mercury
• A barometer may
contain mercury
or a vacuum
inside a metal
chamber that
contracts or
expands with
http://robertwhite.com/marineimages/precision_barometer.jpg
Anemometer
– Measures
wind speed
– … mph or
km/h or
knots
– Has cupped
arms that
rotate as
the wind
http://www.smg.gov.mo/www/dm/equip/ws.jpg
Hygrometer
–Measures
relative humidity
– % age of water air
is holding
compared to how
much it can hold.
– Uses wet- and drybulb thermometers
and determines
how fast the water
evaporates from
the wet bulb.
https://www.avogadro-lab-supply.com/item_images/Wet%20Dry3.jpg
– Measures
the height of
cloud layers
& estimates
cloud cover
– meters
above
ground level
– Radar is
beamed at
the bottom
Ceilometer
http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter5/graphics/ceilometer.jpg
Upper Level Data
To make accurate forecasts,
meteorologist gather data up to
30,000 m.
A radiosonde is a balloon-borne
package of weather sensors (upper
level data)
a. Radiosondes take measurement on
temperature, air pressure and
humidity.
http://www.windows2universe.org/milagro/images/radiosonde_sm.jpg
Weather Radar and
Satellites
Radar pinpoints
where rain is
falling at any
given moment
a. radio
detecting and
ranging
b. A radar
system works
by bouncing
radio waves
off large rain
http://www.comet.ucar.edu/nsflab/web/remote/1221.htm
The Doppler Effect…
… is the change in
wave frequency of
energy (sound or
light) as it moves
toward or away
from an observer.
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=0rJPvGML9A0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K
g9F5pN5tlI&safe=active
Meteorologists use Doppler
Radar to plot the speed at
which raindrops move
toward or away from a
radar station.
This allows them to detect
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvut83IRCk1r285ovo1_400.jpg
severe weather events!
Weather Satellites…
a. Weather radar
tracks rain.
b. Weather satellites
track clouds.
Station Models…
What is a station
model?
 A record of
weather data for
a particular site
at a particular
time
What is the advantage
of using a station
model?
 A large amount of
data can be
http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/Aviation-weather-reporting.html
Station Model Symbols…
Cloud/Sky Cover
http://0.tqn.com/d/weather/1/0/R/-/-/-/cloudcover.gif
Wind Speed
http://www.scalloway.org.uk/images/knots.gif
The Nature of Storms
Thunderstorms and
Severe Weather
Average Number of Thunderstorm
Days Annually… Florida is #1!!
Cause of
Thunderstorms…
• Warm air rises over a mountain
• Temperature difference b/tw
land & sea
• Fronts
Types of Thunderstorms…
• Air Mass - Mountain
– Where… within one air mass over a
mountain
– Why… warm air rises over a mountain,
forming storm clouds!
– When… midafternoon
http://web.mst.edu/~rogersda/umrcourses/ge301/press&siever12.3.png
Types of Thunderstorms…
• Air Mass - Sea-Breeze
– Where… coastal areas, esp.
tropics/subtropics
– Why… temperature differences between land
and sea create convection cells and updrafts
– When… summer
http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/~wintelsw/MET1010LOL/web/notes/chapter11/ts_ingredients4summary.html
http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter11/graphics/cf_xsect.jpg
Types of Thunderstorms…
• Frontal - Cold
– Where… at the leading edge of a cold front
– Why… cold air pushes warm air rapidly up at
the steep cold-front boundary
– When… anytime a cold front moves in!
Types of Thunderstorms…
• Frontal – Warm
– Where… at the
leading edge of a
warm front
– Why… warm air
mass slides up
over a cold air
mass creating
clouds
– When… if a warm
front moves in
with enough
moisture and
instability
http://www.atmoz.org/img/warm-front.png
Lightning…
What is lightning?
 A giant spark of
static electricity
How does a lightning
bolt form?
 A ‘-’ channel of air
from a cloud
(stepped leader)
connects with a ‘+’
channel on the
ground (return
http://i.imwx.com/web/multimedia/images/blog/stepped_lightning2.jpg
Lightning…
What causes
thunder?
 Super-heated
air expanding
and
contracting
How hot is
lightning?
 30,000
degrees
http://www.eoearth.org/files/119701_119800/119773/Step5.jpg
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/lightning/images/lightning8.jpg
http://www.barransclass.com/phys1090/circus/JenkinsD/JenkinsD.html
Lightning Damage…
The damage that lightning can do…
 7500 forest fires/year
 300 injuries/ 93 deaths/year
 Property damage
Lightning-struck trees on the
Blue Ridge Parkway
http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html?id=670034119
Lightning Safety…
“When lightning
roars, go indoors!”
Tornadoes (Formation of…)
A. change in wind
direction &
speed creates
horizontal
rotation.
B. Strong
updrafts tilt
rotating air to
vertical
position.
C. Tornado forms
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/tornado_formation.jpg
Tornado
Alley The
Midwest!
A supercell is a
giant, self-sustaining
storm that can
spawn tornados.
(A cP air mass from
Canada meets a mT
air mass from the
Gulf of Mexico)
Tornado Alley is in
the midwest.
Most tornadoes
occur in May.
http://midwestweather.net/archives/tornadoclimatology.htm
The Enhanced Fujita Scale…
a. This scale is
used to classify
a tornado
AFTER the
tornado has
passed by
looking at the
damage and
effects of the
tornado.
Tornado Safety…
1. Move to a pre-designated shelter – to
a basement if possible.
2. Move to an interior room/hall, lowest
floor, under sturdy furniture. (A bath tub
is safest!)
3. Stay away from windows.
4. Get out of vehicles!
5. Don’t try to outrun a tornado.
6. If outside, lie flat in a ditch or depression.
7. Abandon a mobile home for a shelter.
Tropical Storms &
Hurricanes
Tropical Cyclones…
A tropical cyclone can be
described as a…
 Large, rotating,
low pressure
storm
We call these storms…
 hurricanes
Tropical cyclones derive
energy from…
 Warm, tropical
oceans
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/history.shtml
Tropical Cyclones…
As a hurricane
strengthens, what do
the following
components do?
a. Air pressure in
eyewall–
decreases
b. Surface wind
speeds –
Tropical Cyclones…
Which direction do
tropical cyclones turn in
the northern
hemisphere?
 Counterclockwi
se
 It is a low
pressure
system!
 Remember the
Fran, 1996, Cape Fear, NC
Name was retired!
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/?n=hurricane_rita
Tropical Cyclones…
Tropical cyclones in the N. Hemisphere move steadily
towards…
 the west!
Which wind system moves across the USA and usually
guides
hurricanes out into the Atlantic Ocean?
 the prevailing westerlies
Hurricane Rita – 2005, 3rd lowest pressure in Atlantic (897 mb), hit as cat. 3
Development of a Tropical
Cyclone…
Tropical Disturbance – a weak, lowpressure system – group of
thunderstorms collect
http://www.uvs-model.com/WFE%20on%20tropical%20cyclone%20(Hurricane).htm
Development of a Tropical
Cyclone…
Tropical Depression – a disturbance
begins to rotate around the center of low
pressure
Katrina as a
tropical
depression
http://www.weatherstockphotography.com/
Development of a Tropical
Cyclone…
Tropical Storm – a depression is
labeled a storm when the wind
speeds reach 39 mph.
Tropical Storm Dalila, July 2007
http://www.weatherstockphotography.com/
Development of a Tropical
Cyclone…
Tropical Hurricane – pressure drops
and the wind speeds reach 74 mph
Dean
2007
Ivan
2006
Katrina
2005
Classifying Hurricanes… The
Saffir-Simpson Scale
4 characteristics of a
hurricane described…
a. Wind speed –
how high?
b. Air pressure –
how low?
c. Potential for
damage – how
much?!
d. Storm surge
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/sshws_table.shtml?large
Classifying Hurricanes…
The Saffir-Simpson Scale…
Categories 1 – 5
Category that does the most
damage – 5
Wind speed of a cat 5? > 155
mph
Three most powerful storms to hit
USA?
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastint.shtml
a. Florida Keys, 1935
Classifying Hurricanes…
A hurricane runs
out of energy
When it
moves over
land or cold
water
http://backyard.weatherbug.com/profiles/blogs/the-south-central-texas-445
Hurricane Hazards…
The strongest
winds in a
hurricane
are in the…
 eye wall
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcp/localarea/Weather/PublishingImages/def1.gif
Hurricane Hazards…
What is a storm surge?
When hurricane force winds drive a
mound of ocean water towards
coastal areas
http://www.chathamemergency.org/images/storm%20surge%202.png
Storm Surge…
a. 9 of every 10 people who die in a
hurricane are killed by the storm
surge.
b. You should EVACUATE so you don’t
get killed by the storm surge!
Hurricane Hazards…
What hurricane hazard is caused by
great amounts of rain?
 floods
Flooding from
Hurricane Fran
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1996/of96-499/text/PHOTOS.html
Hurricane
Hazards…
Which agency is
responsible for
tracking and
forecasting
hurricanes?
 The National
Hurricane
Center in
Miami, FL
(FIU Campus)
(NOAA)
The World’s Best Hurricane
Safety Tip…
EVACUATE!!
Human Impact on Air
Quality
Smog (Smokey Fog)…
1. Smog is a yellow-brown
photochemical haze.
2. Smog is caused by solar radiation
heating pollution (hydrocarbons &
nitrogen oxides mostly from car
exhaust).
3. Smog makes it difficult to breathe!
4. The major chemical in smog is
ozone.
b/c Ozone irritates the eyes, nose,
Particulate Matter…
Four examples of particulate matter
include…
1. ash, dust, pollen, & asbestos fibers.
2. These are forms of SOLID pollutants in
the air.
Particulate matter is harmful to people
because it can…
get in lung tissues & cause breathing
difficulties & lung disease.
See next slide…
Review Only! The
Greenhouse Effect
What is the greenhouse
effect? It is heat from
the sun being trapped by
the gases in our
atmosphere.
– A greenhouse effect you
may relate to is that of a
closed car on a cold, sunny
day in winter.
– The greenhouse effect is
a GOOD thing! It allows
for life on our planet!
http://www.uic.com.au/graphics/ueg1-1.gif
Global Warming…
Global warming is…
… an increase in Earth’s average surface
temperature.
Some scientists believe that the cause of
global warming is...

Coal for electricity
… the burning of fossil fuels

Gasoline for vehicles

Natural Gas for
Write examples in margin…
fireplaces and cooking
a. which releases carbon dioxide (CO2)
b. CO2 makes up only .04% of the
atmosphere! (4 out of 10,000 molecules)
Fossil Fuel Use
• Fossil Fuels Used…
– Coal for electricity
– Gasoline for vehicles
– Natural Gas for fireplaces and
cooking
There are many scientists who believe the Sun
has the major role in global warming/cooling.
To reduce levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
people can …
… reduce our use of fossil fuels! (And stop
breathing!) How?
The Ozone Issue
Review! The ozone
layer is found in
the stratosphere.
Ozone absorbs
ultraviolet
radiation
from the sun.
www.space.gc.ca
Add to Margin of Notes: 3 Effects
of Ultraviolet Radiation…
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause
cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye) and
skin cancer.
Ultraviolet radiation can kill the eggs of certain
animals like amphibians because they lay their
eggs in shallow water.
www.matthews.co.nz
www.waterencyclopedia.com
www.mja.com.au
The Ozone Issue
Man-made chemicals
called (CFCs)
chlorofluorocarbons
react with ozone and
break it apart.
(The part of the CFC
molecule that reacts
with the ozone
molecule is the
chlorine atom.)
observe.arc.nasa.gov
The Ozone Issue
CFCs are used as refrigerants, coolants,
propellants in aerosol cans, and Styrofoam.
www.ec.gc.ca
tiki.oneworld.net
The Ozone Issue
We should eliminate sources of CFCs
worldwide. (CFCs were banned in the late
1980’s in industrialized nations. They are still in
use in some places in the world.)
“Under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, developing
countries committed themselves to halving
consumption and production of the CFCs by 2005
and to achieving an 85 percent cut by 2007.”
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020919/science.htm#2
Acid Precipitation
(Rain)…
1. Acid precipitation (rain) is
precipitation with
a pH of less than
5.
The pH of natural precipitation is
5.0 to 5.6.
2. Acid precipitation forms when
sulfur dioxide (SO2) & nitrogen
oxides (NO2) combine w/
atmospheric water to create sulfuric
acid & nitric acid.
3. Six types of acid precipitation are
Coal-burning Power Plant –
Jacksonville, FL
5. The source of acid
precipitation that receives
the most attention is
caused by coal-burning
power plants in the
midwestern USA.
Acid Rain…
6. Three effects of
acid precipitation
are the damage it
causes to…
a. … aquatic
ecosystems
b. … plants & soil.
c. … stone
buildings &
statues.
Easy on
the acid
rain,
guys!
Acid Rain…
7. Prevention:
Use wet
scrubbers on
smoke stacks
of coalburning power
plants.
(to reduce sulfur
emissions)
Station Model…
http://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/earth/meteorology/station-model.jpg
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/Jet_Stream/DI68G1.jpg
Jet Streams…
• Definition of Jet Stream…
– Narrow bands of fast, high altitude
westerly winds (which resemble jets of
water)
– Jet streams follow the boundaries
between hot and cold air and are
strongest in the winter.
A Jet Stream As It Appears on
a Weather Map…
Jet Streams…
• Location by Wind Systems…
A. Polar jet stream (separates polar
easterlies from prevailing westerlies)
B. Subtropical jet stream (where the trade
winds meet the prevailing westerlies)