PPT-All About the Atmosphere

3 Its structure composition and dynamics In last weeks lecture we focussed on how weather is generated The key ingredients are energy and gradients Last Weeks Lecture Incoming energy from the Sun is balanced with outgoing radiative cooling of the Earth resulting in an equilibrium temperature of about 15 C . Essential Points. Heat, Temperature and Temperature Scales. The Electromagnetic Spectrum. Composition of the Atmosphere. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles. How pressure varies in the atmosphere. Sunrise . from space over the South China Sea. An astronaut would see something like this; clearly defined bands of color through the atmosphere as the sun rises. High-peaking cumulus clouds, topping out in anvil-head cirrus can be seen as black shadows against the sunlit horizon. The brightness of the colors in the atmosphere in this photograph is due to the amount of dust in the atmosphere. More dust is found in near the equator. There are various sources for such upper level dust. Many dust storms in Africa and ash clouds from major volcanic eruptions are two reasons. . CHAPTER. Charging Toward Cleaner Air in London. More than 4000 people in London died during a “killer smog” event in 1952.. In 2003, London started charging a fee to people who drove into the city during the week.. Definition of the Atmosphere. . The layer of gases surrounding Earth; composed mainly of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, and other gases (water vapor, dust, pollutants, etc.). Brainpop: . Earth’s atmosphere. The ocean/layer of gas that surrounds the Earth. It is composed of 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen. The other 1 % is a mixture of other gasses. We depend on this balance of gas for our survival. When it is out of balance, we have problems.. Earth’s . protective bubble. NASA accessed via Wikipedia . compared to the size of the Earth (10. 4. km), the atmosphere is a thin shell (120 km).. . Earth’s Atmosphere. http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/earth/pinatuboimages.htm. Weather. Whether the weather be fine,. Or whether the weather be not,. Whether the weather be cold,. Or whether the weather be hot,. We'll whether the weather. Whatever the weather. Whether we like it or not. Fast . vs. Slow Carbon Cycles. There’s a “Fast” cycle, and a “Slow” cycle. Fast Carbon Cycle. – rapid interchange between . surface ocean. , atmosphere, and top layer of soil and biosphere. Time scales of days to ~decade.. transmitted. absorbed. reflected. 1. transmission. Radiation passes through atmosphere unimpeded.. Shortwave and longwave “windows” . 2. absorption. Energy is transferred to absorber; absorber emits energy. How does the atmosphere support life?. The atmosphere allows us to breathe. Many different types of organisms need oxygen to perform life processes. Plants require carbon dioxide to undergo photosynthesis. . Atmosphere Essential Question: How are we changing our atmosphere? Learning Goals: Be able to identify the layers of the atmosphere. Describe what molecules make up the atmosphere. Atmosphere Atmosphere ATMOSPHERE Composition of the Atmosphere The atmosphere is comprised of a variety of gases: Major Constituents (99%): Nitrogen (N): 78% Oxygen (O 2 ): 21% Trace Constituents: Other: 1% Proportions of gases in the atmosphere. Composition and evolution of the atmosphere. Combustion of fuels. Source of atmospheric pollutants.. Most fuels may also contain some . sulfur. .. Gases from burning fuels. . The layer of gases surrounding Earth; composed mainly of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, and other gases (water vapor, dust, pollutants, etc.). Brainpop: . Earth’s atmosphere. Layers of the Atmosphere.