The atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. It also contains water vapor, ozone, and particulates. Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude and is measured with a barometer. The layers of the atmosphere include the troposphere closest to Earth where weather occurs, the stratosphere containing most ozone, the mesosphere being the coldest, and the thermosphere where temperatures increase with altitude. Solar radiation enters the atmosphere and is scattered, reflected, absorbed, and contributes to the greenhouse effect, while heat is transferred through conduction and convection.

1. Atmosphere Notes

2. Atmosphere: Layer of gases that surround the Earth

3. Composition: 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen .9% Argon .1% Other Gases

5. Ozone – O3, absorbs harmful UV radiation, being destroyed by particulates

7. Decreases as altitude increases

10. Where the weather is found

14. Scattering: The deflection of solar radiation due to clouds, dust, water droplets, and gas particles Thus sunlight hits the Earth surface from all directions and makes the sky blue

15. Reflection: When solar radiation reaches the Earth surface it is either absorbed or reflected back into the atmosphere depending on the surface

16. Absorption: Absorbed solar radiation is converted into infrared waves (heat) and keeps the Earth warm

17. Greenhouse Effect: The warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases in the air absorb and re-radiation solar radiation

18. Conduction: The transfer of heat through a material through direct contact Collisions between molecules in the atmosphere transfer heat energy

19. Convection: Warm air moves up as cool air sinks due to density differences.