State and Moisture of The Atmosphere 1

The Atmosphere
Chap. 11
Atmosphere Basics
State of the Atmosphere
Moisture in Atmosphere
Atmosphere Basics 11.1

Describe the
composition of the
atmosphere
Compare and
contrast the various
layers of the
atmosphere
Identify three
methods of
transferring energy
throughout the
atmosphere
http://eob.gsfc.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages
I. Atmospheric composition
A. 99% nitrogen and oxygen
B. Argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide

water, and other gases make up 1%

C. The amount of water in the
atmosphere varies from 0% to 4%

D. There are solids in the atmosphere

D. There are solids in the atmosphere
1.
Dust
2.
Salt
3.
Ice
II. Important gases of atmosphere

A. Carbon dioxide and water
http://weathersavvy.com/Q-Clouds_AffectTemperature.html

A. Carbon dioxide and water regulate
the temperature of the earth.
B. Ozone
http://radio.weblogs.com/0105910/2004/03/03.html

A. Carbon dioxide and water regulate
the temperature of the earth.
B. Ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet

(UV) radiation.
III. Layers of the Atmosphere

A. Troposphere

A. Troposphere
1. Closest to Earth.
2. Weather and pollution occur here.
3. Temp. decreases as altitude increases.
4. Ends at about 16 km at tropics, 9 km
near poles.

B. Stratosphere

B. Stratosphere
1. Composed mostly of ozone.
2. Is warmed by solar radiation. The
higher the altitude the warmer.

C. Mesosphere

C. Mesosphere
1. No ozone.
2. This layer gets cooler as you ascend.

D. Thermosphere

D. Thermosphere
1. Temperature more than 1000 C.
2. There are very few air particles here.
3. Includes ions in a region called the
_________.

D. Thermosphere
1. Temperature more than 1000 C.
2. There are very few air particles here.
3. Includes ions in a region called the
ionosphere.

E. Exosphere

E. Exosphere
1. Light gases found here (hydrogen
and helium).
2. Gradually transitions into space.
IV. Energy Transfer
IV. Energy Transfer

A. Radiation transferring energy
through space by way of light
(visible, UV, etc.)
IV. Energy Transfer

(visible, UV, etc.)
1. Not all this energy stays on Earth.
IV. Energy Transfer

(visible, UV, etc.)
2. Radiation heats ________ objects faster.
IV. Energy Transfer

(visible, UV, etc.)
2. Radiation heats
dark objects faster.
3. Radiation heats water ______ than land.
IV. Energy Transfer

(visible, UV, etc.)
2. Radiation heats
3. Radiation heats water slower than land.

4. Hot things emit shorter wavelengths of
radiation. Cooler things emit longer waves.
IV. Energy Transfer

(visible, UV, etc.)
2. Radiation heats
3. Radiation heats water slower than land.

4. Hot things emit shorter wavelengths of
radiation. Cooler things emit longer waves.
5. When solar radiation hits surface of the
Earth, the wavelength becomes longer.
IV. Energy Transfer

B. Conduction transferring energy
by contact.
IV. Energy Transfer

by contact.
1. Warm particles collide with cooler particles.
IV. Energy Transfer

by contact.
1. Warm particles collide with cooler particles.
2. This really only heats air near surface.
IV. Energy Transfer

C. Convection transferring energy
by flow of heated substance.
IV. Energy Transfer

1. Warm particles have lower density and rise.
IV. Energy Transfer

2. Warm particles cool, which causes them to
fall.
IV. Energy Transfer

2. Warm particles cool, which causes them to
fall.
3. This motion creates convection currents.
The End
State of the Atmosphere 11.2

Describe the
various properties of
the atmosphere and
how they interact
Explain why
atmospheric
properties change
with changes in
altitude
Earths atmosphere
from the ISS (360 km
above Earth)
I. Temperature
I. Temperature
A. Temperature is different from heat
I. Temperature
1. Temperature measures the average speed of
the particles of a substance
I. Temperature
1. Temperature measures the average speed of
the particles of a substance
2. Heat describes a transfer of energy
I. Temperature
B. Temperature scales
I. Temperature
1. Fahrenheit
I. Temperature
1. Fahrenheit
2. Celsius
I. Temperature
1. Fahrenheit
2. Celsius
3. Kelvin
I. Temperature
C. Dew point (condensation temp.)
Temperature to which air must be cooled at

constant pressure to reach saturation
I. Temperature
1. This varies depending on water
content of the air
I. Temperature
1. This varies depending on water
content of the air
2. When temperature reaches dew
point, condensation can occur
I. Temperature
D. Vertical temperature changes
I. Temperature
1. Air cools as elevation increases
I. Temperature
2. Dry air cools at about 10C / 1000 m
I. Temperature
3. If you travel high enough, the air cools
to the dew point. This is called the
lifted condensation level (LCL)
I. Temperature
3. If you travel high enough, the air cools
to the dew point. This is called the
lifted condensation level (LCL)
4. Moist air cools at about 6C / 1000 m
II. Pressure
II. Pressure
A. Air pressure and density
II. Pressure
1. The air near the Earths surface is
______ than air further up
II. Pressure
1. The air near the Earths surface is
denser than air further up
2. The higher you go, the lower the
pressure because . . .
II. Pressure
B. TemperaturePressure relationship
II. Pressure
1. As the temperature goes , the
pressure goes ___.
II. Pressure
1. As the temperature goes , the
pressure goes .
2. This relationship is called a direct
relationship.
II. Pressure
C. Temperature-Density relationship
II. Pressure
1. As the temperature , the density goes
___ .
II. Pressure
1. As the temperature , the density goes
__ .
2. This relationship is called an inverse
relationship.
III. Temperature Inversions

A. The temperature of the air
increases the higher the elevation.

A. The temperature of the air
increases the higher the elevation.
B. These layers act like a lid, holding
in gases below.
IV. Wind
IV. Wind
A. Results from differences in
temperature.
IV. Wind
temperature.
B. Warm air has a lower density and

rises causing low pressure
IV. Wind
temperature.
B. Warm air has a lower density and

rises causing low pressure
C. Cooler air has a higher density and
falls, causing high pressure
V. Relative Humidity
A. Relative humidity depends on:
1. How much moisture is in the air
2. How much moisture could be in the air
Amount of moisture present
x 100
Amount of moisture possible

3. Note warm air holds more moisture.

3. Note warm air holds more moisture.
B. If the relative humidity is 100%

this means the atmosphere is
__________.
The End
Moisture in the Atmosphere - 11.3

Explain how clouds
are formed
Identify the basic
characteristics of
different cloud
groups
Describe the water
cycle
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
I. Cloud Formation
1. Warm, moist air rises.
I. Cloud Formation

2. This air expands and cools
I. Cloud Formation

3. The air reaches its dew point
I. Cloud Formation


4. Water droplets condense
around condensation nuclei
Surface on which water droplets can form. Smoke
or dust particles can act as condensation nuclei
I. Cloud Formation


4. Water droplets condense
around condensation nuclei
5. A cloud forms
I. Cloud Formation
B. Causes for warm air to rise
I. Cloud Formation

1. Orographic lifting
Cloud formation as a result of wind moving air

into a mountain. This moves the air upward.
I. Cloud Formation

1. Orographic lifting
2. Warm air encounters cold air
I. Cloud Formation

C. Atmospheric stability
The ability to resist rising
I. Cloud Formation

1.
A stable atmosphere has no clouds, or

thin, layers of clouds.
I. Cloud Formation

1.
A stable atmosphere has no clouds, or

thin, layers of clouds.
2.
An unstable atmosphere will have

vertical development. Thunderstorms
indicate an unstable atmosphere.
I. Cloud Formation

D. Latent heat
The heat exchanged during a phase change.
I. Cloud Formation

D. Latent heat
1.
Energy required to evaporate water is

stored in the water vapor.
I. Cloud Formation

D. Latent heat
1.
Energy required to evaporate water is

stored in the water vapor.
2.
When the water vapor condenses this

heat is released.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
Cirrus
http://www.cloudman.com/atlas/atlas.htm
Form high in atmosphere, made of ice

crystals, appear as thin, white, feathery clouds
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
2.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Flat-based, puffy white clouds with cauliflower

appearance on top. Extends vertically several thousand ft.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
3 main
cloud
types
1.
2.
3.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
http://www.cloudman.com/atlas/atlas.htm
Layered cloud that covers most of the sky.

Forms at low altitudes. Often gray.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrostratus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
High, thin clouds that give sky a milky white

appearance.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrostratus
Cirrocumulus
Delicate clouds forming in bands a ripples. These

rare clouds form when cirrus clouds degenerate.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
Altostratus
Clouds of intermediate height, having blue-gray

appearance. Composed of ice crystals and water.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Have oval shapes, colored white with gray

undersides. May produce mild precipitation.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
8.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Nimbostatus
Often associated with steady precipitation. Can

occur in thick, continuous layers.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
8.
9.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Nimbostatus
Stratocumulus
Can cover the sky in dark, heavy masses. Form

irregular masses close to the ground.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Nimbostatus
Stratocumulus
Cumulonimbus
Puffy, white cloud. Towering clouds that extend

upward to heights of 2-5 miles. Cause thunderstorms
II. The Water Cycle
The End

State and Moisture of The Atmosphere 1

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The Atmosphere

Atmosphere Basics 11.1

B. Argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide

B. Argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide

B. Argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide

B. Argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide

II. Important gases of atmosphere

II. Important gases of atmosphere

II. Important gases of atmosphere

II. Important gases of atmosphere

B. Ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

III. Layers of the Atmosphere

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

2. Radiation heats ________ objects faster.

IV. Energy Transfer

dark objects faster.

3. Radiation heats water ______ than land.

IV. Energy Transfer

dark objects faster.

3. Radiation heats water slower than land.

IV. Energy Transfer

dark objects faster.

3. Radiation heats water slower than land.

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

IV. Energy Transfer

State of the Atmosphere 11.2

Temperature to which air must be cooled at

III. Temperature Inversions

III. Temperature Inversions

III. Temperature Inversions

B. Warm air has a lower density and

B. Warm air has a lower density and

2. How much moisture could be in the air

Amount of moisture present

2. How much moisture could be in the air

2. How much moisture could be in the air

B. If the relative humidity is 100%

Moisture in the Atmosphere - 11.3

1. Warm, moist air rises.

1. Warm, moist air rises.

1. Warm, moist air rises.

3. The air reaches its dew point

1. Warm, moist air rises.

3. The air reaches its dew point

1. Warm, moist air rises.