Atmosphere basics

What is atmosphere?
Combination of gases, dust, water droplets, and ice crystals
Surrounds the Earth
Extends from the Earths surface to outer space
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
Invisible, gaseous form of water
Can range of 0% - 4%
Concentration depends on the seasons, altitude, and properties of the surface
underneath
Carbon dioxide
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
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

Layers of the atmosphere

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.
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
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
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.