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24.1 The Atmosphere. 1. Define the atmosphere… 2. What molecule has the highest concentration in the atmosphere? ( oxygen, Carbon dioxide, nitrogen?) 3. Why is the atmosphere important? (3 things). The atmosphere is … t he layer of gases that surround the earth.
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1. Define the atmosphere… 2. What molecule has the highest concentration in the atmosphere? ( oxygen, Carbon dioxide, nitrogen?) 3. Why is the atmosphere important? (3 things)
The atmosphere is … the layer of gases that surround the earth
The Function of the Atmosphere: • Holds Heat and helps moderate Earth’s temperatures b. Provides Protection from … • Meteoroids • High Energy Radiation (UV rays) from the sun c. Provides gasses essential for life • Oxygen • Carbon dioxide • Nitrogen
Composition of the Atmosphere a. Nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), other gases and water vapor (1%) b. Suspended Solid and liquid particles Ash and smoke from fires or volcanoes • Salt from ocean spray
OZONE LAYER • Ozone in Troposphere = “Bad” ozone 1. Acts as greenhouse gas (traps heat) and causes smog. b. Ozone in Stratosphere= “Good” ozone 1. Made of O3 molecules 2. absorbs UV rays that can be harmful to plants and animals 3. UV radiation is Thermal Energy which warms strato. c. OZONE HOLE = Thinning of ozone layer 1. Where: over poles 2. Cause:chemicals, CFCs (Chloroflourocarbons), used as coolants in refrigeration and aerosols, get into atmosphere and break apart ozone molecule … allowing more UV in.
Air Pressure: the force on a surface due to the weight of air a. The atmosphere has weight because of gravity b. As altitude increases, air pressure and density decreases c. Measured with a barometer
Layers of the Atmosphere • Troposphere: 1. 0-12km (~ 7 mi) 2. Weather & Clouds 3. Greatest air pressure & density (Gravity pulls air to surface) 4. Temp. DECREASES with altitude (As air expands it cools)
Stratosphere • 12 km – 50 km(~ 32 mi) • Contains ozone layer 3. Temperatures WARM from -57C to 0C. 4. Upper strat. is warmer than lower b/c of OZONE LAYER which is absorbing UV radiation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHtvDA0W34I
Mesosphere 1. 50-80 km (~52 mi), 2. Temps decrease as altitude increases 3. Top of Meso. Is - 90 C 4. Very thin air – moving VERY FAST. Windy (320 km/hr). 5. This burns up meteoroids
Thermosphere 1. OUTER MOST LAYER 2. 80 km – outer space 3. TEMP INCREASES w/ Alititude. ( - 90 C to more than 1000 C) 4. Temps. Increase because gas molecules in this layer absorb solar radiation
Ionosphere • Part of THERMOSPHERE • Region of charged particles (ions) that overlaps the lower thermoshere. • Molecules absorb solar energy and b/cm (+) charged or IONS. • Aurora – Charged particles are attracted to E’s mag. Poles – collide w/ ions & glow