The Atmosphere and Meteorology

1. The Atmosphere and Meteorology Chapter 11 & 12

2. 11.1 Atmospheric Basics Describethe compositition of the atmosphere. Compare and contrast various layers of the atmosphere. Identify three methods of transferring energy throughout the atmosphere.

3. Atmosphere 11.1 A combination of many gases make up Earth’s atmosphere.

4. Atmosphere (continued) 11.1 The atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen, with traces of other gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. In fact it contains more nitrogen and oxygen than any other substance.

5. Atmosphere (continued) 11.1 The source of rain, clouds, and snow is water vapor.

6. Atmospheric Layers 11.1 The layer in which most weather and pollution occurs is the troposphere. Stratosphere is the part of the atmosphere containing the ozone layer This layer is important because it contains ozone, which blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

7. Atmospheric Layers 11.1 Exosphere is the atmosphere’s outermost layer The mesosphere is the layer between the stratosphere and thermosphere. • Ionosphere is the layer within the thermosphere which is filled with electrically charged particles

8. 11.1 Troposphere vs. Stratosphere Both are the lower layers of the atmosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. The troposphere contains most of the mass of the atmosphere. It is characterized by a general decrease in temperature with height. The stratosphere is the layer above the troposphere. The stratosphere, which contains the ozone layer, gradually increases in temperature with height. Troposphere Stratosphere

9. Energy Transfer 11.1 The sun shines on and warms Earth’s surface directly in a method of energy transfer known as radiation. Image not shown to scale

10. Energy Transfer (Continued) 11.1 The three methods of energy transfer are conduction, convection, and radiation. within and between bodies of matter, due to a temperature gradient. collective movement of ensembles of molecules within fluids (i.e. liquids, gases) NOT IN SOLIDS energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space.

11. Section Break

12. 11.2 State of the Atmosphere Describethe various properties of the atmosphere and how they interact. Explain why atmospheric properties change with changes in altitude.

13. Air Density 11.2 The density of air decreases as altitude increases.

14. Humidity 11.2 The amount of water vapor in a given volume of air is its humidity.

15. Dew Point 11.2 When the temperature in the atmosphere reaches the dew point, condensation occurs.

16. Change in Troposphere 11.2 Both temperature and pressure generally decrease with height in the troposphere.

17. Heat vs. Temperature 11.2 • Heat is the transfer of energy that occurs because of a difference in temperature. • Temperature is the measurement of how rapidly or slowly molecules move around. Both are related to energy in an area (location). Heat Temperature

18. Temperature Inversion 11.2 A temperature inversion is an increase in temperature with height in the atmosphere.

19. Video Break Iphone sent through the Atmosphere

20. Section Break

21. 11.3 Moisture in the Atmosphere Explain how clouds are formed. Identify the basic characteristics of different cloud groups. Describethe water cycle.

22. Condensation nuclei 11.3 Condensation nuclei are particles of atmospheric dust around which cloud droplets form.

23. Coalescence 11.3 Cloud droplets collide to form larger droplets in a process called coalescence.

24. Clouds 11.3 Clouds form when warm, moist air rises, expands, and cools. As the air reaches its dew point, water vapor in the air condenses around condensation nuclei into cloud droplets. A collection of millions of cloud droplets forms a visible cloud.

25. Orographiclifting 11.3 In orographic lifting, clouds form when moist winds encounter mountains.

26. 11.3  Clouds Cirrus – high , thin, made of ice crystals Cumulus – lower, fluffy fair weather clouds Stratus – low, layer

27. 11.3  Clouds (Continued) Cumulonimbus – storm clouds, may reach up to Stratosphere

28. Sunrise 10/17/2006 off Rt. 21 Photograph taken by S. Koziol

29. Water Cycle 11.3 The constant movement of water between the atmosphere and Earth’s surface is the water cycle.

30. Section Break

31. Best of Chapter 12 Analyze how imbalances in the heating of Earth’s surface create weather. Compare and Contrast weather and climate.

32. Weather 12 Current, short-term variations in the atmosphere are referred to as weather.

33. Station Models 12 A record of weather data for a particular site at a particular time is a station model.

34. Atmospheric Imbalances 12 Imbalances in Earth’s heat energy help to create weather.

35. Polar and tropical regions 12 Polar and tropical regions maintain fairly constant average temperatures because the continual motion of air and water reallocates heat energy throughout Earth.

36. Jet Stream 12 The Jet Stream is a narrow bands of fast, high-altitude westerly winds.

37. Low-pressure 12 Low-pressure systems are usually associated with cloudy and rainy weather.

38. High-pressure 12 High-pressure systems are associated with fair, dry and stable weather.

39. Weather vs. Climate 12 Weather refers to current atmospheric conditions. Climate refers to long-term weather patterns for an area. Both refer to the conditions of the atmosphere. Weather Climate Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.