NOTES IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

THE ATMOSPHERE, CLIMATE & WEATHER

The atmosphere is an envelope of gases surrounding the Earth, about 11 kilometer thick from the surface. It makes life possible by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day and night (the diurnal temperature variation); and the presence of oxygen & carbon dioxide. It is also within the atmosphere where the different environmental / biological cycles carbon, water, phosphorus, and nitrogen cycle - occur. The Earths atmosphere bluish haze -- as seen from space Components of the atmosphere. Our present atmosphere is about 78% Nitrogen; 21 % oxygen; 1% Argon and some trace gases. The 0.037% of these other gases are mostly carbon dioxide (0.035%) and the remaining 0.002% are composed of Helium, Hydrogen, Methane, and Krypton. The remaining gases are often referred to as trace gases, among which are the greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Filtered air includes trace amounts of many other chemical compounds. Many natural substances may be present in tiny amounts in an unfiltered air sample, including dust, pollen and spores, sea spray (sodium chloride), and volcanic ash. Various industrial pollutants also may be present, such as chlorine (elementary or in compounds), fluorine compounds, elemental mercury, and sulfur compounds such as sulfur dioxide.
Handout prepared for Instructional purpose only. N.R. Bautista Dept. of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, Rizal Technological University, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

There has been 3 changes (evolution) of our atmosphere which is: (a) Early / Primitive Atmosphere Methane, Hydrogen and Helium which was swept away by nd solar wind; (b) 2 Atmosphere Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur Oxides, Ammonia, and Water Vapor which comes from volcanic eruptions and meteor/comet impacts it was during these times that biological components like amino acids (proteins), nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) and the lipids (oils) which make up the cell membrane was formed leading to existence of LIFE ; and (c) Present atmosphere wherein dominated by Nitrogen gas and oxygen given off by plants. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE 1. Troposphere the lowest and densest part of our atmosphere, where climate and weather (clouds and typhoons) pattern occur; This is where we find life. The troposphere begins at the surface and extends to between 9 km (30,000 ft) at the poles and 17 km (56,000 ft) at the equator, with some variation due to weather. The troposphere is mostly heated by transfer of energy from the surface, so on average the lowest part of the troposphere is warmest and temperature decreases with altitude. This promotes vertical mixing of air. The troposphere contains roughly 80% of the mass of the atmosphere. The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere. 2. Stratosphere the upper atmosphere; air is much thinner and the temperature is colder. The stratosphere extends from the tropopause to about 51 km (32 mi; 170,000 ft). Temperature increases with height due to increased absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer, which restricts turbulence and mixing. While the temperature may be 60 C (76 F; 210 K) at the tropopause, the top of the stratosphere is much warmer, and may be near freezing. The stratopause, which is the boundary between the stratosphere and mesosphere, typically is at 50 to 55 km (31 to 34 mi; 160,000 to 180,000 ft). The pressure here is 1/1000 sea level. 3. Mesosphere -- The mesosphere extends from 8085 km (50 53 mi; 260,000280,000 ft). It is the layer where most meteors burn up upon entering the atmosphere. Temperature decreases with height in the mesosphere. The mesopause, the temperature minimum that marks the top of the mesosphere, is the coldest place on Earth and has an average temperature around 85 C (120 F; 190 K). At the mesopause, temperatures may drop to 100 C (150 F; 170 K). Due to the cold temperature of the mesosphere, water vapor is frozen, forming ice clouds (or Noctilucent clouds). A type of lightning referred to as either sprites or ELVES, form many miles above thunderclouds in the troposphere. 4. Thermosphere a layer above the mesosphere, there is a temperature increases in this layer due to solar radiation bombardment (can rise up to 1,5000 oC) . This is where communication satellites and the international space station orbit. 5. Exosphere -- The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere; hydrogen and helium. This is almost outer space which also compose the earths magnetosphere.

Other layers Within the five principal layers determined by temperature are several layers determined by other properties: The ozone layer is contained within the stratosphere. In this layer ozone concentrations are about 2 to 8 parts per million, which is much higher than in the lower atmosphere but still very small compared to the main components of the atmosphere. It is mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere from about 1535 km (9.322 mi; 49,000110,000 ft), though the thickness varies seasonally and geographically. About 90% of the ozone in our atmosphere is contained in the stratosphere. The ionosphere, the part of the atmosphere that is ionized by solar radiation, stretches from 50 to 1,000 km (31 to 620 mi; 160,000 to 3,300,000 ft) and typically overlaps both the exosphere and the thermosphere. It forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere. It has practical importance because it influences, for example, radio propagation on the Earth. It is responsible for auroras. The Magnetosphere is part of the Exosphere where magnetic field eminating from the south and north poles creates a shield around the earth. Protecting the planet from the drastic effect of the solar wind. Climate a long term manifestation of weather; a statistical collective weather condition over a period of time of a particular area. Factors Affecting of Climate and Weather 1. Light intensity and photoperiod short day / long day 2. Heat (temperature) based on solar radiation. 3. Rainfall / Snow (precipitation)4. Humidity amount of moisture in the air. good for plants 5. Wind strength, direction, - Habagat vs Amihan 6. Other Factors Presence of Lightning, Thunderstorm, Typhoon (Picture Below) Location of the Ionosphere and the Ozone Layer The ionosphere is a region of ionized air molecules due to the bombardment of radiation from the sun, It functions in the transmission of radio signals within the Earth. The ozone layer on the otherhand is composed of ozone (O3) which is created by Ultra violet radiation, and in the same way shields us from the UV rays from the sun, making life possible on land. 3

(Left Image) Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air through the troposphere, and the means (with ocean circulation) by which heat is distributed around the Earth. The large-scale structure of the atmospheric circulation varies from year to year, but the basic structure remains fairly constant as it is determined by the Earth's rotation rate and the difference in solar radiation between the equator and poles Notice also the path of the wind, as this also affects the movement of typhoons formed in ocean regions.

HOW CLIMATE AFFECTS BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND HUMAN ACTIVITY A. Biological Processes 1. Flowering / Fruiting Season (usually in time of high light illumination and duration) 2. Seed Dispersal / Germination Season of seeds (spring time or summer) 3. Breeding Season / Spawning season (e.g. fish) 4. Migration of birds, animals, fish (during winter) 5. Time of Hibernation 6. Occurrence of Pest & Diseases for crops (when a particular plant crop is present) 7. Natural Phenomenon bush fires, forest fires, seasonal flooding; drought 8. Soil Fertility in tropical regions, soil is usually poor because nitrogen is easily volatilized by the suns rays and the other nutrients (phosphorus & potassium) are easily leached out into the deeper part of the soil.) B. Human Activity 1. Harvest Season / Planting Season / Fiesta / Thanks giving period 2. Time for Rest / Other odd jobs for farmers 3. Wedding Season / time for thanks giving - Fiestas 4. Vacation season 5. Affects way of Life Food, Design of Housing (roof type, strength of homes / buildings, Jobs (agricultural, industrial, etc.) WHY DO WE HAVE TO STUDY OUR ATMOSPHERE & ITS CLIMATE and WEATHER? Since we, as humans, live in just one planet PLANET EARTH there is need for us to understand how our physical environment work. By understanding our climate and weather, we are able to predict and prevent future problems (e.g. strong typhoons, occurrence of El Nino too little rain or La Nina too much rain). With it, we could better adapt to our ever changing environment and we could fashion of clothes, agriculture, industry, and the way we live in the area where we live. Also by understanding how we pollute and affect our environment, we could adjust our ways of life for us to be able to live sustainable in the planet and also for us to co-exist with other living organisms the plants, animals and microorganisms living in these planet. As we advance our technology, maybe in the future, we could harness the forces and energy of our atmosphere to create cheap, abundant and renewable energy solar, wind, ocean waves (as it is also affected by wind), and maybe lightning; effectively and efficiently transmit radio and microwave signals for communication, television, and internet; create less-polluting and fast airplanes; induce artificial cloud formation or rain seeding of barren deserts.