Earth’s Atmospheric Layers

1. Earth’s Atmospheric Layers 6th Grade Science Mrs. Bright (6-4.1)

2. 6-4.16-4.5 • 6-4.1Compare the composition and structure of Earth’s atmospheric layers (including the gases and differences in temperature and pressure within the layers). • 6-4.5 Use appropriate instruments & tools to collect weather data. (thermometer & barometer)

3. Overview of Atmosphere (2min) • ..\Kincaid Weather 1 videos\atmosphere overview good summary 2min.asf

4. Earth’s Atmosphere: • 1. • 2. • 3. • 4. Atmo: (gas) sphere: (area)

5. 1.Define ‘atmosphere’ • The atmosphere is the 5 layers of gases surrounding Earth.

6. 2.Why is the atmosphere important? • The atmosphere makes life on Earth possible.

7. Examine the pie chart. • 78% Nitrogen • 21% Oxygen • 0.93% Argon • 0.03% Carbon dioxide • 1% Other trace gases

8. 3. Two most common gases are nitrogen & oxygen. Trace gases are not important.

9. 4. Earth’s Atmosphere Cont. • 4. Water vapor & Carbon Dioxide are important gases for weather conditions & found in the troposphere.

10. Bun Mayonnaise Lettuce Tomato Hamburger Bun Layers of a typical hamburger

12. TROPOSPHERE • Layer _________________________________ to Earth’s surface • Averages ________________________ in thickness • As altitude increases, temperatures ________________________. • Greatest _____________ _______________________. • It’s where______________________ ,______________________, & ____________________________________________ occurs. ● “Tropo” means __________________________ ● ______________________ & ______________________ are here.

13. TROPOSPHERE (tropo-change) • Layer closest to Earth’s surface • Averages 10 km in thickness • As altitude increases temperatures decrease. (the higher the colder) • Greatest air pressure-very dense. • It’s where we live, planes fly, & all weather occurs. • “Tropo” means change. ● Water vapor & carbon dioxide are found here.

14. STRATOSPHERE • Some ________________can fly here. • Weather _____________________ will float up into this layer. • Contains ______________ _____________ (which absorbs harmful _______________ from the sun). • __________________ above Earth’s surface. • __________ but gets _____________ as you approach the _______________ __________

15. STRATOSPHERE (strato-spread out) • Some Jets can fly here. • Weather balloons will float up into this layer. • Contains ozone layer (which absorbs harmful UV rays from the sun). • 10-50 km above Earth’s surface. • Coldbut gets warmer as you approach the ozone layer.

16. Click: good ozone and stratosphere vid 1min

18. What is destroying the ozone layer? • Air pollutants • CFC’s from refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol sprays, car exhaust etc.

19. Explain why do you need to use sunscreen? • Without protection, sun exposure can damage your health. Sunscreens protect your skin from UV radiation.

20. Ozone Layer Video (1min.) • ..\Kincaid Weather 1 videos\good ozone uv and stratosphere vid 1min.asf

21. MESOSPHERE • _______________ layer (-100*c) It gets colder the _____________ you go. • ________________ burn up here creating shooting stars. • “Meso” means _______________

22. MESOSPHERE (meso-middle) • Coldest layer – It gets colder the higher you go. • Meteors burn up here creating shooting stars. • “Meso” means middle

23. THERMOSPHERE • __________________ layer (over 2000*C) even though the air is ________________ • __________________ happen here • _____________ layer (400km) • Has _____________ air pressure—is ______________ dense ● “Thermo” means __________________.

24. THERMOSPHERE (thermo-heat) • HOTTEST layer (over 2000*C) even though the air is thin. • Auroras happen here • Thick layer (400km) • Has low air pressure-its less dense. • “Thermo” means heat.

25. EXOSPHERE • ______________________ & International Space Station orbit Earth here. • Blends into cold regions of ____________ _____________________ • ________________________ air pressure with very few gas molecules. • _______________ layer (up to 10,000 km) • “Exo” means _____________________.

26. EXOSPHERE (exo-outer) • Satellites & International Space Station orbit Earth here. • Blends into cold regions of outer space • Lowest air pressure with very few gas molecules. • Thickest layer (up to 10,000 km) • “Exo” means outer.

27. Labeled Diagram • http://www.vtaide.com/png/atmosphere.htm

28. Summarize 5 layers Video (2min) • ..\Kincaid Weather 1 videos\five atmosphere layer overview 2min.asf

29. The structure of Earth’s atmosphere.

31. STOP and THINK Name: # THINK of a silly sentence to help you remember the order of the layers of the atmosphere. T S M T E

32. Air Pressure & Altitude

33. 1. What is air pressure? • Air pressure is the force exerted by the gases pushing on an object. • The air pressure is greatest near the surface of Earth in the troposphere.

34. 2. Explain the relationship between air pressure and altitude. • Earth’s gravity pulls the gases towards the surface, the weight of these gases presses down on the air below. • Therefore, the molecules are closer together (denser) on the bottom and have greater air pressure. • Air pressure decreases with altitude.

35. Air (Atmospheric) Pressure at Sea Level is 14.7lbs per square inch.

37. Air pressure DECREASES with height above sea level or altitude.

39. 3. How do you measure air pressure? • Air pressure is measured with a barometer in units called millibars (mb).

40. Air Pressure Video (8m 50s) • ..\Kincaid Weather 1 videos\Air Pressure 9min.asf

41. Temperature & Altitude

42. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/whatisweather/aboutweather/temp.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/whatisweather/aboutweather/temp.shtml

43. 4. What is temperature? • Temperature is a measure of how muchheat energythe air molecules possess

44. 5. How is temperature measured? • Temperature is measured with a thermometer in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.

45. 6. What is the relationship between temperature & altitude? • TROPOSPHERE: temperature decreases with altitude. • STATOSPHERE: temperature increases towards the ozone layer. • MESOSPHERE: temperature decreases (coldest layer) • THERMOSPHERE: temperature increases(hottest layer) • EXOSPHERE: temperature decreases towards outer space

47. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING • What are the layers of the atmosphere is order from the Earth? • A. Exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, & troposphere • B. Troposphere, exosphere, stratosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere • C. Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

48. List the 5 layers in order, start with the layer we live in. 1.____________________________________ 2.____________________________________ 3.____________________________________ 4.____________________________________ 5.____________________________________ 6. Atmo means ______________________ 7. Sphere means ______________________ 8. Meso means _____________________ 9. Thermo means _____________________ 10. Tropo means _____________________ 11. Strato means ______________________ 12. Exo means ________________________

49. PrefixesSuffix Atmo: gas sphere: ball Exo: outer Thermo: heat Strato: layer Tropo: change

50. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING • What happens to the air pressure as altitude increases? • A. The air pressure decreases • B. The air pressure increases • C. The air pressure stays the same