about atmosphere

1. The
Atmosphere

2. The Atmosphere
1. Layers of the Atmosphere
2. Air Pressure
3. Transfer of Heat Energy
4. Earth-Atmosphere Energy Balance
5. Hydrologic Cycle

3. The gases that makeup the
Atmosphere

4. LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere

5. Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's
atmosphere. Most of the mass (about 75-80%)
of the atmosphere is in the troposphere. Most
types of clouds are found in the troposphere,
and almost all weather occurs within this
layer.

6. Stratosphere
Above the troposphere and below
the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere.
“Strat” means layer. This layer of our
atmosphere has its own set of layers. There
are no storms or turbulence here to mix up
the air, so cold, heavy air is at the bottom
and warm, light air is at the top.

7. Mesosphere
The mesosphere lies between
the thermosphere and the stratosphere. “Meso”
means middle, and this is the highest layer of the
atmosphere in which the gases are all mixed up
rather than being layered by their mass. The
mesosphere is 22 miles (35 kilometers) thick.

8. Thermosphere
The thermosphere is the atmospheric region
from ∼85 to ∼500 km altitude, containing
the ionosphere. It is characterized by high
temperature and large variability, in response
to changes in solar ultraviolet radiation and
solar-driven geomagnetic activity.

10. Upper Air - Radiosondes
Radiosondes are released from the inflation building and move up
through the atmosphere (20 miles) sending back weather
information along the way.

11. Launch of a Weather Balloon
The balloon with the radiosonde is launched
twice daily...at 11z and 23z (GMT)...unless
otherwise necessary.

12. Air Pressure
• Density of Molecules decreases with height.
• Although the atmosphere goes up to 184 miles, half
of the atmosphere is in the first 18,000 feet or 3.4
miles.
• Less molecules (same composition) higher up makes
it is harder to breath than at sea level.
• Air Pressure is converted to Sea Level Pressure to
observe surface low and high pressures. (otherwise
the Rocky Mts. would be always be low pressure and
the oceans would be areas of high pressure).
• Pressure also dependent upon Temperature
(We will perform an experiment on this)

13. Barometers

14. Draw Isotherms.
26.64 -- 902 Hurricane Katrina (2005)

15. Go with the Flow
1. Air flows from high to low
pressure.
2. The air blown between the
cans created an area of low
pressure between the cans
and induced high pressure
surrounding the cans. This
caused the cans to move
from high to low pressure.
This is known as Bernoulli’s
Principle.

16. Transfer of Heat Energy
1.Radiation
2.Conduction
3.Convection

17. Radiation
•The transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic radiation.
•Earth is heated by this process.
- various substances on earth (dirt, rocks, water,
concrete, sand, etc.) absorb this energy and their heat level is
raised. They transmit that heat through mainly convective heat
transfer to the surrounding atmosphere, and eventually to us.

18. Conduction
• The transfer of heat energy from one substance to
another or within a substance.
• Very effective in heating metals
• Air is a poor conductor.

19. Convection
• The transfer of heat energy in a fluid.
• Commonly seen in the kitchen when you see boiling water
• Air in the atmosphere acts a fluid

20. Transfer of Heat Energy
Summary
1.Radiation
2.Conduction
3.Convection

21. Thermometers
• Cotton Region Shelter
– Max and Min Thermometers
• Alcohol (min)
• Mercury (max)
• Max Min Temperature
System (MMTS)
• Thermistor

22. Earth-Atmosphere Energy Balance

23. The Effects of Clouds
• Nighttime: clouds keep the earth warmer
• Daytime: clouds keep the earth cooler