Chapter 6 Atmosphere

Chapter 6 Atmosphere APESAtmosphereInvisble layer of gases that envelope Earth

http://www.vtaide.com/png/atmosphere.htm

Gases in Atmosphere

Function of AtmosphereTrap heat = warm planetProtect us from incoming UV, x-ray, cosmic radiation Without gases no warming no lifeLayers of Atmospherehttp://www.hippocampus.org/AP%20Environmental%20Science

Troposphere closest to surface contains weather and storm eventsContains most clouds

Stratosphere steady wind presentCommercial jets fly hereContains protective ozone layer ~ good ozone

Mesophere lower tempsLiterally means middle sphere

Thermosphere rising tempsGases absorb UV radiation and become very active (KMT) thus increasing temps found hereAurora- lights in dark polar skies produced when charged particles from sun HIT oxygen or nitrogen moleculeSatellites found here, important communication zone

Exosphere this air converges with space

Weather vs. ClimateWhat is wrong with the following statement?

Global warming cannot be occurring, we had a very cool summer. How does a tornado form?

Hurricanes, Cyclones, and Typhoons OH MY!VIDEO linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM-abtIT6Is

How does the sun warm planet Earth?GIANT CONVECTION CURRENT

What is wind?Horizontal movements of air resulting from changes in atm pressure + rotation of EarthBlow from HIGH atm pressure to LOW atm pressurehttp://www.hippocampus.org/AP%20Environmental%20Science

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Air/water currents are deflected due to rotationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPs_OdQOYUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wda7azMvabE&feature=related