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Discover the composition, layers, and energy dynamics of Earth's atmosphere, including the greenhouse effect and climate change, in this comprehensive study guide. Explore how solar energy affects our planet and learn about temperature inversions, atmospheric gases, and more.
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Chapter 22 Standards 4a. Students know the relative amount of incoming solar energy compared with Earth’s internal energy and the energy used by society. 4b. Students know the fate of incoming solar radiation in terms of reflection, absorption, and photosynthesis. 4c. Students know the different atmospheric gases that absorb the Earth’s thermal radiation and the mechanism and significance of the greenhouse effect. 5a. Students know how differential heating of Earth results in circulation patterns in the atmosphere and oceans that globally distribute the heat. 5b. Students know the relationship between the rotation of Earth and the circular motions of ocean currents and air in pressure centers. 5c. Students know the origin and effects of temperature inversions. 6c. Students know how Earth’s climate has changed over time, corresponding to changes in Earth’s geography, atmospheric composition, and other factors, such as solar radiation and plate movement.
A. The Atmosphere • What is it? • The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds Earth. • What is it made of? • A mixture of chemical elements and compounds commonly called air. • What is the purpose of it? • Protects Earth’s surface from the sun’s radiation and helps regulate Earth’s temperature.
B. The Composition of Atmosphere • The most abundant elements in air are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon gases. • The two most abundant compounds in air are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). • There are also tiny solid particles called particulates.
C. Layers of the Atmosphere • Altitude is the height above the earth’s surface. • There are temperature differences with increasing altitude. • Based on the temperature differences, scientists identify four layers of the atmosphere: -troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere (ionosphere & exosphere)
D. Temperature Inversion Color the picture. • In the troposphere, temperature usually decreases with an increase in altitude. • Warm air is closer to Earth’s surface and the cooler layer is on top. • Temperature inversion is a weather condition where the layering of warm air is on top of cool air. • Cool air is closer to Earth’s surface and the warm layer is on top. • Effect of temperature inversion is that it can make air pollution worse by “trapping” that pollution. Temperature Inversion
E. Energy in the Atmosphere • Energy = Heat = Warmth from the Sun • Our atmosphere gets heated in three ways: • Radiation is the energy that earth receives from the sun. • Conduction is the heating that occurs because molecules in a substance move faster as they become heated; the closer the molecules the warmer the heat. • Convection is the process by which air, or other matter, rises or sinks because of differences in temperature.
Not all radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere. • about 20% is absorbed by the atmosphere • about 30% is scattered into space or is reflected from the clouds or earth’s surface. • about 50% is absorbed by earth’s surface.
F. Absorption and Infrared Energy • The sun constantly releases radiation. • Solar radiation that is not reflected is absorbed by rocks, soil, water and other surface materials. • The absorption of solar radiation warms up the Earth.
G. Greenhouse Effect • One of the ways in which gases of the atmosphere absorb and reradiate infrared rays can be compared to a greenhouse. • The greenhouse effect is the natural heating of the earth’s surface caused by certain atmospheric gases. • greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbons. • Life couldn’t exist on Earth without the greenhouse effect. Color the picture.
H. Variations in Temperature • Radiation from the sun does not heat Earth equally at all places at all times. • The temperature of the atmosphere in any region on Earth’s surface depends on several factors: • Earth’s tilt & latitude • surface features • time of year and day • wind patterns
I. Formation of the Atmosphere Color the picture. • Early earth had only hydrogen and helium gases in the atmosphere. • Earth’s surface continued to form due to plate tectonics which caused many different features such as volcanoes and earthquakes. • Volcanic eruptions lead to an outgassing (release) of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other gases into the changing atmosphere. • Radiation also broke down some elements and compounds which changed the atmosphere.
Write 10 questions for this section. • Highlight key words and phrases. • Draw a picture.
Summary (one paragraph) – Page 3 The atmosphere is __________________________. The four layers of the atmosphere are ___________, ___________, _____________, and ____________. Our atmosphere gets heated in three ways: _________, __________ and _________. Radiation is ___________________________. Conduction is ________________________. Convection is ____________________________. Volcanic eruptions lead to an ____________ (release) of gases such as ____________ and _____________.
A. Wind LOW PRESSURE HIGH PRESSURE • Wind is caused by the movement of air from an area of high pressure to low pressure. • Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above. • The greater the difference in pressure, the stronger the wind.
B. Convection Cells Color and label the picture. NORTH and SOUTH POLES are COLD!!!!! EQUATOR is HOT Air moves in convection cells with cells moving from an area of high pressure to low pressure or from an area of cold air to hot air. It is a continuous cycle.
C. The Coriolis Effect Color the picture. Because the earth rotates on its axis, we have 12 convection cells where the air flows in curves, not straight lines. Coriolis Effect is the tendency of an object (air) to follow a curved path rather than a straight path because of the rotation of Earth.
D. Global Winds • Each convection cell correlates to an area of Earth’s surface called a wind belt which is also called prevailing winds. • Each wind belt (trade winds, westerlies and easterlies) has wind that flows in one direction. • Winds are named by the direction from which they flow. • Northwest winds means the wind originated or came from the northwest.
E. Trade Winds Called trade winds because many trading ships sailed on these winds from Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. TRADE WINDS Winds that move toward the equator. These winds curve toward the west. Found between 30° N and 30° S latitude.
F. Westerlies WESTERLIES WESTERLIES Winds that move toward the poles. These winds curve toward the east. Found between 30° and 60° latitude.
G. Easterlies EASTERLIES EASTERLIES Winds that begin at the cold north and south poles. These winds curve toward the west. Found between 60° and 90° latitude.
Write 10 questions for this section. • You should have a total of 20 questions. • Highlight key words and phrases. • Draw a picture.
Summary (two paragraphs) – Page 4 Wind is _______________________________. Air pressure is _______________________. Air moves from ______ pressure to _______ pressure. The Coriolis effect is _____________ _______________________. Wind belt is ____________________________. The three wind belts are ____________, ____________, and ____________. Winds are named for the direction _______ which they blow.
Notes Points Name __________________________________ Period _______