Meteorology The study of the changes in temperature, air pressure, moisture, and wind - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Meteorology

The study

of the changes in temperature, air pressure, moisture, and wind direction in the troposphere. Slide2

Tuesday, September 20, 2011Objectives:1. Explain the composition, structure, and properties of Earth’s Atmosphere.2. Explain the difference between Earth’s Early Atmosphere and the current Atmosphere.

Question of the Day:

Can you recall the process that converts water and sunlight to energy?Slide3

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

A+

The Atmosphere

MeteorologySlide4

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

A+

The Atmosphere

Gravity

holds

air around EarthSlide5

Primitive AtmosphereHelium and HydrogenAfter the Moon was formed, it contained mostly Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, and Water VaporThen---- it was changed when blue-green algae evolved and emitted

oxygen by the process of photosynthesis.Slide6

Thank-you Photosynthesis!!If it was not for the earliest forms of life on Earth, transforming the poisonous primitive atmosphere into something more suitable,….we would not

have evolvedSlide7

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

The Early Atmosphere

Much different than our atmosphere today.

Not suitable for life: No Oxygen to breathe and no Ozone to

protect from sun’s rays.Slide8

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

The ProcessSlide9

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

Composition of the Atmosphere

The most abundant gasses in our atmosphere are:

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Argon

Carbon Dioxide

The atmosphere also contains some solids and liquids:

Dust Acids Ash

Salt Water VaporSlide10

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

Layers of the Atmosphere

Atmosphere is divided into different layers based on temperature

.

Temperature changes as you go up.

Sometimes it

INCREASES

Sometimes it

DECREASES

Sometimes it

STAYS THE SAME

There are 6 layers to our atmosphere, each with different characteristics:

1.

Troposphere

2.

Stratosphere

3.

Mesosphere

4.

Thermosphere

5.

Ionosphere

6.

Exosphere Slide11

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class

Layers of the Atmosphere

Thermosphere

Temperature

INCREASES

High temperatures

Thin air.

Feels cold.

Mesosphere

Temperature

DECREASES

Stratosphere

Temperature

INCREASES

Contains ozone

O

3

absorbs bad rays

Absorption = Warm

Troposphere

Temperature

DECREASES.

Weather occurs here.

ATMOSPHERESlide12

The AtmosphereLayer of gasses surrounding Earth that is retained by Earth’s gravity. 3 major Jobs:

Protects life from harmful solar radiation

Warms Earth’s surface through heat retention

Reduces temperature extremes between day and nightSlide13

The AtmosphereConsists of many gasses:78% Nitrogen21% Oxygen

1% Argon

.03% Carbon DioxideSlide14

Layers of the AtmosphereThe “spheres” of the Atmosphere are defined by their relationship between temperature and altitude

. Slide15

Wednesday, September 21stObjective:

Describe three ways energy is transferred to Earth.

Question of the Day:

On any given Summer day, the temperature is higher in downtown Roanoke than at Smith Mountain Lake. What do you think causes the difference in temperatures?Slide16

Urban Heat Island

urban

air and surface temperatures that are higher than nearby rural areasSlide17

The Transfer of Heat EnergyEarth’s heat source is the Sun.Energy from the sun is transferred to Earth’s surface and the atmosphere.

3 Methods of Heat Transfer

Radiation

Conduction

ConvectionSlide18

RadiationThe transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves.Most of the solar radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere M

uch of what reaches the earth's surface is radiated back into the atmosphere to become heat energy. Slide19

RadiationDark colored objects such as asphalt absorb more of the radiant energy and warm faster than light colored objects. Dark objects also radiate their energy faster than lighter colored objects

.

ALBEDO-

the ability for a surface to reflect sunlight.Slide20

ALBEDOAlbedo- the ability for a surface to reflect sunlight. Snow has a very HIGH ALBEDO (85%)

it reflects sunlight very well

Asphalt has a very LOW ALBEDO (5%)

it absorbs sunlight, rather than reflectsSlide21
Slide22

ConductionTransfer of energy from one substance to another within a substance.Metal- good heat conductor

Air- poor heat conductor

Water- poor heat conductorSlide23

ConvectionTransfer of heat energy in a fluid fluid can be a liquid or gas

Air in the atmosphere acts as a fluid

As solar radiation reaches the ground, it heats the rocks, which then heat the air around it and it forms a bubble of hot air.

Hot air rises and then is replaced by cooler air (wind).Slide24

ConvectionSlide25
Slide26

Surface Heating and Air PressureUnequal heating of Earth’s surface CAUSES differences in Air pressure.Differences in Air pressure CAUSES wind!Slide27

Mr. Craig’s Earth Science Classroom

Mr. Craig's Earth Science Class

Air Pressure

Air pressure is the weight of air pushing down from above.

As you go up, pressure DECREASES.

Air pressure makes air near Earth’s surface DENSE.Slide28

Air Pressure

Despite the tiny size of air molecules and atoms in the atmosphere, they can exert

a lot of pressure

….

in all directions!Slide29

Air Pressure

L = Low Pressure

H = High PressureSlide30

Low PressureAir pressure is LOWER than the surrounding air

Rising Air

Air cools as it rises

Water molecules condense and form….

clouds

, precipitation, and other bad weather such as tropical storms and cyclones.Slide31

High Pressurean area where the air's pressure is higher than the pressure of the surrounding

air

Descending air

Air warms as it descends

Clouds do not form

FAIR WEATHER… but not always