Section 11.

1 Atmosphere Basics

Atmosphere Basics
Combination of gases, dust, water droplets,
and ice crystals
Surrounds the Earth
Extends from the Earths
surface to outer space

Picture of the Earths

atmosphere taken
from a space shuttle

Permanent Atmospheric Gases

Earths atmosphere consists mainly of
nitrogen (78 percent) and oxygen (21
percent).
The amounts of nitrogen and
oxygen in the atmosphere are
fairly constant over recent
time.

Variable Atmospheric Gases

The concentrations of some atmospheric
gases are not as constant over time.
The amount of water vapor, ozone, and
carbon dioxide vary significantly from place to
place.

Water Vapor (H2O(g))

Invisible, gaseous form of water
Can range of 0% - 4%
Concentration depends on the seasons,
altitude, and properties of the surface
underneath

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

During the past 150 years, the concentration
of atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased,
due primarily to the burning of fossil fuels.
Currently 0.039% (up by 0.028%)

Ozone (O3)
Mostly in ozone layer (20 50 km above)
Only 0.0012% but plays important role in
blocking out harmful rays from the sun
Concentration has decreased due to CFCs
which are now banned
Scientists estimate it should
fully recover by the 2100

Atmosphere Particles
Contains variable amounts of solids in the
form of tiny particles, such as dust, salt, and
ice
Fungi and bacteria are often attached to these
particles
Fluorescent sample
of bacteria taken
from the air.

Atmospheric Layers

Troposphere

Closest to the Earths surface

Contains most of the atmospheres mass
Weather occurs in this layer
Air temperature decreases with altitude
Top is called tropopause

Stratosphere
Above tropopause
Contains the ozone layer
Air temperature increases with altitude since
the ozone layer absorbs the suns energy
Ends at the stratopause

Mesosphere
Above the stratopause
Air temperature decreases with altitude since
very little solar radiation is absorbed
Ends at mesopause

Thermosphere
Low air density so temperature rises (can be
over 1000C)
Contains the ionosphere (made up of charged
particles)
Ends at thermopause

Exosphere
Outermost layer
Transitional region between the Earths
atmosphere and outer space

Review of Thermal Energy and Heat

Remember all matter is made of particles in
constant, random motion!
These moving particles contain kinetic energy.
The total kinetic energy of the moving
particles is called thermal energy.
Less thermal
energy

More thermal
energy

Review of Thermal Energy and Heat

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from
regions of higher temperature to regions of
lower temperature

Direction of
movement

Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere

In the atmosphere thermal energy is
transferred by:
Radiation
Conduction
Convection

Radiation
Transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic
waves
Thermal energy is transferred from the Sun to
Earth by radiation

Absorption and Reflection

Incoming solar radiation is either reflected
back into space or absorbed by Earths
atmosphere or its surface.
30% reflected
20% absorbed
by atmosphere
and clouds
50% absorbed
by Earths surface

Rate of Absorption
Depends on physical characteristics of the
surface and the amount of solar radiation
Examples water heats and cools more
slowly; dark colors absorb energy faster

Solar Radiation Around

the World
Darker = more

Conduction
Transfer of thermal energy when objects at
two different temperatures are in contact
Occurs between the Earths surface and
lowest part of the atmosphere

Convection
Remember convection is the transfer of thermal
energy by the movement of heated material from
one place to another
Near the Earths surface air becomes heated,
expands, and rises then as it rises it cools, contracts,
and sinks.
This creates convection currents in the atmosphere.