Characteristics of the Atmosphere

Atmosphere

A mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon.

Atmosphere

Protects you from suns rays.

Atmosphere

Always changing.

The Compostion of the Atmosphere1

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gases

Invisible Water=

water vapor

Air Pressure

The measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface.

As altitude increases...

Air pressure decreases.

At earths surface...

air pressure is at its strongest

effects air temperature...

atmosphere composition

as altitude increases...

air temperature changes

Layers of the atmosphere...

4 layers, troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere

Troposphere

the lowest layer of the atmosphere in which temperature decreases at a constant rate as altitude increases

densest layer

troposphere

troposphere gases...

continually mix

Stratosphere

the layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere and in which temperature increases as altitude increases

air is thin

stratosphere

ozone layer

protects life on earth by absorbing harmfull ultraviolet radiation

ozone layer is...

in the stratosphere

Mesosphere

the layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere and in which temperature decrease as altitude increases

Coldest layer

mesosphere

Thermosphere

Temperature increases as altitudde increases

Thermosphere

Atoms of nitrogen + oxygen absorb high energy radiation

Thermosphere

Releases thermal energy

Thermosphere

Particles move fast
Particles - spaced out
Don't transfer a lot of energy

Temperature

Measurement of energy of particles in motion

Heat

Transfer of thermal energy between objects of different temperatures

Thermosphere5

Above layer - ionsphere/Auroras

coldest layer

mesosphere

Thermosphere6

Temp in layer - 1000 degrees Celsius or higher
High temp-doesn't feel hot

Atmosphere

Contains oxygen

Composition of the Atmosphere

Small particals-1%
Dust, ash, salt, dirt, smoke, other gases

Stratosphere

gases don't mix
Air is thin - little moisture

Stratosphere

bottom of stratosphere - very cold
average 60 degrees Celsius

90% of atmospheres mass...

Troposphere
Contains: carbon dioxide, water vapor, clouds, air pollution & life forms

Troposphere

Gases mix continuously

Water in atmosphere

liquid water (rain), solid water (snow and ice), water vapor (gas)

Air pressure amount

at sea level, a square inch = 15 lb of air

Gas effect

less gas = cooler tempatures
more gas = warmer tempatures

Ionosphere

at the top of the mesosphere at lower thermosphere

Ionosphere

where nitrogen and oxygen atoms absorb harmful solar energy - thermosphere tempatures rise