Atmosphere Higher Geography Physical Environments

Key Idea ‘The characteristics of the atmosphere vary spatially and provide climate and weather conditions which interlink with other systems.’ What do you need to know?

‘The characteristics of the atmosphere vary spatially and provide climate and weather conditions which interlink with other systems.’

What do you need to know?

Students should have a knowledge and understanding on a: A) Global Scale Effects of the atmosphere on receipt of radiation across the Earth. Redistribution of energy patterns: atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Global climate change.

A) Global Scale

Effects of the atmosphere on receipt of radiation across the Earth.

Redistribution of energy patterns: atmospheric and oceanic circulation.

Global climate change.

Students should have a knowledge and understanding on a: B) Regional Scale - Case study of Tropical Africa Nature, origin and movement of air masses: convergence and divergence of air masses. Weather types associated with different air masses The effect of these air masses on West African climates.

B) Regional Scale - Case study of Tropical Africa

Nature, origin and movement of air masses: convergence and divergence of air masses.

Weather types associated with different air masses

The effect of these air masses on West African climates.

Geographical Skills You should also be able to: interpret climatic maps, diagrams and graphs. construct and analyse climate graphs.

You should also be able to:

interpret climatic maps, diagrams and graphs.

construct and analyse climate graphs.

Don’t Panic!

Introduction The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth and is retained by the Earth's gravitational field. It contains some solid particles including volcanic dust and wind blown soil.

The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth and is retained by the Earth's gravitational field.

It contains some solid particles including volcanic dust and wind blown soil.

Atmosphere Composition Nitrogen – 78.09% Oxygen – 20.95% Argon – 0.93% Plus variable amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapour (greenhouse gases).

Nitrogen – 78.09%

Oxygen – 20.95%

Argon – 0.93%

Plus variable amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapour (greenhouse gases).

Atmosphere Structure Troposphere 10 Km Stratosphere 40 Km Mesosphere 50 Km Thermosphere 300 Km Exosphere 400 Km

10 100 90 80 120 70 60 50 40 30 20 130 140 110 Height in km -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 Temperature ºC Temperature Change with Altitude Maximum Ozone Temperature Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Troposphere

Variations in Atmospheric Composition The composition of the atmosphere varies with altitude. Industrial areas may also affect the composition of the atmosphere, in particular air quality. Water Vapour (due to evaporation) makes up a significant proportion of the atmosphere close to oceans and seas.

The composition of the atmosphere varies with altitude.

Industrial areas may also affect the composition of the atmosphere, in particular air quality.

Water Vapour (due to evaporation) makes up a significant proportion of the atmosphere close to oceans and seas.