Chapter 11 & 12

Describe the compositition of the atmosphere.

Compare and contrast various layers of the atmosphere.

Identify three methods of transferring energy throughout the atmosphere.

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

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The atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen, with traces of other gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.

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In fact it contains more nitrogen and oxygen than any other substance.

The source of rain, clouds, and snow is water vapor.

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The layer in which most weather and pollution occurs is the troposphere.

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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.

The mesosphere is the layer between the stratosphere and thermosphere.

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Ionosphere is the layer within the thermosphere which is filled with electrically charged particles

Exosphere is the atmosphere’s outermost layer

Troposphere Stratosphere

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.

Both are the lower layers of the atmosphere.

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The sun shines on and warms Earth’s surface directly in a method of energy transfer known as radiation.

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Image not shown to scale

The three methods of energy transfer are conduction, convection, and radiation.

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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.

Describe the various properties of the atmosphere and how they interact.

Explain why atmospheric properties change with changes in altitude.

The density of air decreases as altitude increases.

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

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When the temperature in the atmosphere reaches the dew point, condensation occurs.

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Both temperature and pressure generally decrease with height in the troposphere.

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Heat Temperature

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.

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Both are related to energy in an area (location).

A temperature inversion is an increase in temperature with height in the atmosphere.

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Iphone sent through the Atmosphere

Explain how clouds are formed.Identify the basic characteristics of different

cloud groups.

Describe the water cycle.

Moisture in the AtmosphereMoisture in the Atmosphere

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

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

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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.

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

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Cirrus – high , thin, made of ice crystals

Cumulus – lower, fluffy fair weather clouds

Stratus – low, layer

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Cumulonimbus – storm clouds, may reach up to Stratosphere

Sunrise 10/17/2006 off Rt. 21

Photograph taken by S. Koziol

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

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Analyze how imbalances in the heating of Earth’s surface create weather.

Compare and Contrast weather and climate.

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

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A record of weather data for a particular site at a particular time is a station model.

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

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

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

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

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

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Weather Climate

Weather refers to current atmospheric conditions.

Climate refers to long-term weather patterns for an area.

Both refer to the conditions of the atmosphere.

Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.

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