ES1 Investigating Layers of the Atmosphere Act# 1 Name______________________________Block_____Date_________Due:______

INTRODUCTION: Atmosphere refers to the envelope of air that surrounds a planet. Earthʼs atmosphere extends from its surface to an altitude of approximately 1000 km, where

Earthʼs atmosphere blends gradually into the almost complete vacuum of space. Our atmosphere is gen-erally divided into four layers with different characteristics. In this activity, you will construct a graph of Earthʼs atmospheric layers and determine how temperature changes with altitude

The temperature data listed below are average temperatures at different altitudes above Earthʼs surface. Atmospheric temperatures are measured by a variety of methods, including the use of instruments aboard rockets launched from Earth, weather balloons, and satellite data.

PROCEDURE:

1. Construct a line graph using the data summarized in this chart. Make the long side of the graph paper the horizontal axis. Label the vertical axis “Altitude in km” and the horizontal axis “Tempera-ture in °C”. Number the vertical scale beginning with “0 km” at the bottom left, using a scale of 5 boxes = 50 km. Number the hori-zontal scale beginning with “-100” at the bottom left, using a scale of 5 boxes = 50°C.

2. Plot the points on the graph, then draw a smooth curve to show how temperature changes with altitude in the atmosphere. Done_

3. Give the graph a title. Done___" "4. Draw horizontal lines across the graph at each altitude listed below and label them as “Tropo-pause, Stratopause and Meso-pause. Label the area below each line as indicated. Done___

pg. 1 of 4 ES1 Sanders-Fleming Layers of Atmosphere Act from Singler 12/8/11 3:28 AM

Altitude-km

Atmospheric Layer

12 TROPOSPHERE

48 STRATOSPHERE

85 MESOSPHERE

above 85 THERMOSPHERE

____/40_grade = fix & explain in your own words for_____Do ____ makeup (MU) for___ If done after answers given in class, credit for notes is 25%, in as N. Incomplete or too many, incorrect, in as “inc”, 50%, both in as missing til makeup done. If late, -50%, or may use late pass if still available for this quarter

5. Lightly shade in the area between 25 and 40 km and label it OZONE SHIELD. Done__

QUESTIONS. Makeup for missing or incorrect answers only--explain in your own words, or use different numbers when given.

1. Describe what appears to be the main characteristic used to determine where atmospheric layers be-gin and end:

2. Describe the overall temperature changes that occur within each of the four layers (for each, give name and whether rising or falling), 5 pts:

a. bottom layer

b.

c.

d. top layer

Makeup--give upper and lower temperatures for each layer

What happens to the pattern of temperature change at the boundaries between layers?

3. In which layer of the atmosphere do we live?_______________

4 a. Which atmospheric layer is the smallest?_______________ 2 ptsb. What is its approximate height from top to bottom?_______________

Makeup: do for thickest layer for a & b

5. For the altitudes in this table, give the approximate temperature from the graph 3 pts

6. a. At approximately what altitude is the coldest air?_______________ 2 ptsb. What is the name of the layer in which temperature drops to the coldest air?__________________

Makeup: do for warmest air for a & b

pg. 2 of 4 ES1 Sanders-Fleming Layers of Atmosphere Act from Singler 12/8/11 3:28 AM

Altitude-km

Temperature (give unit)

32

95

145

Makeup: Altitude-

km

Temperature (give unit)

50

65

195

Graph = 15 pts. Makeup = com-pleted graph & class notes with explana-tions in your own words. # wrong /50@2________ Grade=___________ Fix & do MU for incorrect answers for_____ If handed in after answers given in class = N, notes only, 25%. If incomplete or too many incorrect, 50%, both missing until makeup done. Late = 25% unless use late pass.

7. The melting point of the metal Lead is 317 °C. In which layer of the atmosphere would lead melt?

Makeup: why is this layer so hot?

8. The ozone shield helps to filter out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun and protect life on earth. Which atmospheric layer contains the ozone shield?________________ 2 ptsHow & why does ozone affect the temperature of this layer?

Makeup: explain how this happens in your own words, consulting textbook if needed.

9. Gravity is the force that pulls things towards the earthʼs surface. 4 pts With increasing altitude, does gravitational pull increase or decrease?____________. With increasing altitude, does amount of molecules in a given space increase or decrease?___________ With increasing altitude, does air pressure increase or decrease?____________.

That is why people experience shortness of breath and sometimes altitude sickness when mountain climbing. Which layer has the lowest air pressure?

Makeup: explain why in your own words:

10. The thermosphere continues beyond the top of your graph to an altitude of approximately 1000 km. However, the air is so thin that it is difficult to collect data from that layer, and the upper boundary of the thermosphere is difficult to define. What lies beyond the thermosphere? (Consult your textbook)

11. Use section 22.1 in your textbook to summarize the main characteristics of each atmospheric layer: 12 pts. Makeup: explain incorrect or incomplete answers in your own words:

Atmospheric Layer thickness in km (up-per and lower range)

temperature change and why it rises or

falls

special features or notes about this layer

TROPOSPHERE

STRATOSPHERE

MESOSPHERE

THERMOSPHERE

12. Which layer(s) contain the ionosphere? _______________ 2 ptsWhy is the ionosphere important?

Graph the data on the next page. Read the directions carefully and save yourself time. 15 pts

pg. 3 of 4 ES1 Sanders-Fleming Layers of Atmosphere Act from Singler 12/8/11 3:28 AM

Remember to include units, a title and key, and turn the paper 90° before you start.

pg. 4 of 4 ES1 Sanders-Fleming Layers of Atmosphere Act from Singler 12/8/11 3:28 AM