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The Atmosphere

The Atmosphere. Objectives: Describe the composition of the Earth ’ s atmosphere Describe the layers of the Earth ’ s atmosphere. Explain three mechanisms of heat transfer in the atmosphere. Explain the greenhouse effect. The Atmosphere. One of the four parts that make up the Earth.

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The Atmosphere

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  1. The Atmosphere Objectives: Describe the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere Describe the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. Explain three mechanisms of heat transfer in the atmosphere. Explain the greenhouse effect.

  2. The Atmosphere • One of the four parts that make up the Earth. • Atmosphere – the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth. • The atmosphere insulates the Earth.

  3. The Composition of the Atmosphere • Made mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and dust. • The amounts of gases changes due to • Animals • Plants • Vehicles • Volcanoes - nitrogen

  4. The Four Layers of the Atmosphere 1. Troposphere – *closest to surface *from 0-18 km (11 miles) up *densest layer *planes fly at about 9 km (6 miles) *weather occurs here *the higher you go, the colder (-50F) and less oxygenated the air is. • Highest place on Earth - Mt. Everest in the Himalayan Mountains (about 9 km or 5 miles high) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNTyL6uapjM

  5. The Four Layers of the Atmosphere 2. Stratosphere *from 18- 50 km (11 to 30 miles) up *temperature is warmer than the troposphere because the ozone layer is located here. Bottom = -50F Top = -15F *Felix Baumgartner space-dived from the stratosphere (24 miles up) in October of 2012. http://www.redbullstratos.com/gallery/videos/all-tags/1

  6. The Four Layers of the Atmosphere 3. Mesosphere *from 50-80 km (30 to 50 miles) up *temperature is the coldest of all the layers (-90 F) *meteors entering the atmosphere vaporize in this layer

  7. The Four Layers of the Atmosphere 4. Thermosphere *from 80- 550 km (50 to 350 miles) up *temperature is the warmest of all the layers (3600 F) *space shuttles orbit here

  8. Energy in the Atmosphere • Energy from the sun moves through the atmosphere in three ways: • Radiation • Conduction • Convection

  9. Energy in the Atmosphere • Radiation – the transfer of energy across space • From the fire to the pan • From the sun to the earth • When you stand in front of a fire and feel warm

  10. Energy in the Atmosphere • Conduction – flow of heat from a warmer object to a colder object when they are touching • Your hand feels warm when touching the pot handle • Warming your hands with a hot cup of coffee

  11. Energy in the Atmosphere • Convection – the transfer of heat that occurs when hot air rises and cold air sinks. • The “rolling” of boiling water • Heat waves rising from the sidewalk • Steam rising from a hot drink • A lava lamp • Weather

  12. Energy in the Atmosphere

  13. The Greenhouse Effect • Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor in the atmosphere the Sun’s energy and heat the earth. • If this didn’t happen, the earth would be too cold for life. • When we add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere through pollution, the atmosphere traps more heat than normal and temperatures rise!

  14. The Greenhouse Effect • Other examples of the greenhouse effect • A greenhouse • The inside of a car on a sunny day

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