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The Air Around You Notes. Chapter 1.1 pgs 6-9. Weather. Weather – the condition of the Earth’s atmosphere ( temp, precipitation, humidity, wind, clouds ) at a particular time and place. Weather is different everywhere you go, and it is always changing!
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The Air Around YouNotes Chapter 1.1 pgs 6-9
Weather • Weather – the condition of the Earth’s atmosphere (temp, precipitation, humidity, wind, clouds) at a particular time and place. • Weather is different everywhere you go, and it is always changing! • Climate – the average conditions of the Earth’s atmosphere (temp, precipitation, humidity, wind, clouds) in an area
Atmosphere • Atmosphere – the envelope of gases that surround and protect the Earth. • The atmosphere appears to be very thick from our perspective, but is actually quite thin. • Atmosphere = avg 500 km • Earth’s radius (core to surface) = avg 6,000 km
Atmosphere • Composition of Atmosphere • Nitrogen (N2) – 78% • Oxygen (O2) – 21% • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – 0.038% • Plus other trace gases • gases in very small amounts (argon, neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen) • Can still have an important effect on Earth’s climate and human health! • Water vapor – water is gaseous form • Solid & liquid particles of dust, smoke, salt, and other chemicals
Composition of Atmosphere • Nitrogen (N2) – important to plant growth • Oxygen (O2) – important to animal life, we need to breathe oxygen! • Ozone (O3) – a form of oxygen • Pollutant in troposphere (poisonous) • Ozone Layer in stratosphere traps heat and protects against ultraviolet solar radiation
Composition of Atmosphere • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • important to plants, necessary for photosynthesis • Traps heat in atmosphere • Too much CO2 is driving rapid climate change (global warming) • Water Vapor (H2O) – water in gas form • Causes clouds and precipitation (rain, snow) • Steam – tiny liquid water drops in the air
Composition of Atmosphere • Trace Gases – tiny amounts of different gases, but can still be important • Methane (0.00015%) – a powerful “greenhouse gas” that traps heat in the atmosphere • Particles – tiny solid and liquid particles of dust, smoke, salt, and other chemicals • Can be serious pollutants • Can be added to atmosphere by nature or by man
Atmosphere • Our atmosphere is important because • Provides oxygen, and other necessary gases, for life to survive • Traps heat to keep us from freezing, and to keep water liquid • Protects the surface from meteors and dangerous solar radiation