Earth’s Atmosphere

Earth Science - Middle School

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at mospheric pr essu re decr eases exosphere thermosphere mesosphere troposphere stratosphere 10 km -52º C -93º C 1,727º C 50 km 85 km 600 km 30ºN 60ºN 60ºS 30ºS high pressure high pressure low pressure 30ºN 60ºS 30ºS 60ºN high pressure high pressure low pressure low pressure low pressure 30ºN 60ºN 60ºS 30ºS high pressure high pressure low pressure low pressure low pressure Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere trap energy from the Sun. Although the greenhouse effect is what makes this planet suitable for life, excess carbon dioxide and water vapor increase the warming effect adversely affecting our planet. Ea rth ’s Atmosphe re Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere in which we live. Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, pollution and weather are found in this layer. The temperature in the stratosphere increases with altitude due to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The stratosphere includes the ozone layer. Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere The Earth is unique in our solar system because it has an atmosphere that can support life. Properties of Earth’s Atmosphere Air Pressure Earth’s atmosphere has mass and weight because it contains gaseous elements that have mass and weight. The force that gases in the atmosphere exert on a surface is called air pressure or atmospheric pressure. Pressure Belts Wind is created, in part, by differences in air pressure between different regions. The uneven distribution of heat across the Earth’s surface produces pressure belts which occur at about 30º of latitude. Types of Winds The winds that blow from 30º latitude (north and south) and in a westerly direction are called the trade winds. The westerlies are winds that blow from the southwest to the northeast from 30º t o 60º latitude (north and south). The easterlies are winds that blow toward the west from the poles to 60º latitude (north and south). Air Quality Air is affected by a number of naturally occurring and human- produced factors. These factors in turn affect the environment. Air pollution is truly a global concern. When pollutants are put into the air in one place, they are easily carried by winds to distant places. Mesosphere is the coldest layer located in the middle of the atmosphere. The thermosphere is in the uppermost atmospheric layer. The ionosphere is the upper part of the thermosphere. The ionosphere is a portion of the atmosphere that radiates energy in the form of different colors. The outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere is called the exosphere. Only very light gases, like hydrogen, helium and individual oxygen molecules, are found here. Earth’s Atmosphere © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4108 www.newpathlearning.com
at mospheric pr essu re decr eases exosphere thermosphere mesosphere troposphere stratosphere 10 km -52º C -93º C 1,727º C 50 km 85 km 600 km \|xiBAHBDy01787lz[ Greenhouse Effect What is the green house effect? ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ 30ºN 60ºN 60ºS 30ºS high pressure high pressure low pressure 30ºN 60ºS 30ºS 60ºN high pressure high pressure low pressure low pressure low pressure 30ºN 60ºN 60ºS 30ºS high pressure high pressure low pressure low pressure low pressure Ea rth ’s Atmosphe re Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere Describe: ______________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ Properties of the Earth’s Atmosphere Air Pressure Describe: ____________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Pressure Belts Describe: ____________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Types of Winds Describe: ____________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Air Quality What affects air quality? __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ Describe: ________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ air pressure air quality atmosphere easterlies exosphere greenhouse effect ionosphere mesosphere Key Vocabulary Terms pressure belts stratosphere thermosphere trade winds troposphere westerlies wind Describe: ________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ Describe: ________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ Describe: ________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ Describe: ________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ Earth’s Atmosphere © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4108 www.newpathlearning.com