![Page 1: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Chapter 1Introduction to the
Atmosphere
ATMO 1300Spring 2010
![Page 2: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
“Weather” vs. “Climate”
• Weather – Short-term variations in the sensible state of the atmosphere (e.g., hot today, rain over the weekend, etc…)
• METEOROLOGY – The study of weather• Climate – Long-term state of the
atmosphere (e.g., global warming)• CLIMATOLOGY – The study of climate• The link between meteorology and
climatology…
![Page 3: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
The source of energy for our atmosphere is the sun!- Drives existence and motion of weather
systems
![Page 4: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
General Characteristics of the Atmosphere
• The atmosphere is a 3-dimensional fluid
![Page 5: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
General Characteristics of the Atmosphere
• Very shallow depth (relative sense)• Figure from www.met.tamu.edu/class/metr452/models/2001/global.gif
![Page 6: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
General Characteristics of the Atmosphere
• No defined top
• Has mass, therefore weight, due to gravity
• Mainly composed of
invisible gas molecules and aerosols
![Page 7: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Q: Which scenario is correct upon combining air masses of Q: Which scenario is correct upon combining air masses of different densities?different densities?
LESS DENSE (WARM)
HEIGHT MORE DENSE (COLD)
This is a STABLE situation (something has to happen externally to overturn it)That something is WEATHER!
Example: Think of a pot of water on the stove…
why do hot air balloons fly?
![Page 8: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
COLD
COLD HOT
UNSTABLE situation, air is less dense underneath more dense air. Atmosphere always wants to achieve stability. To do, so which way must cold/warm air move?
WEATHER exists to remove the imbalance. In this case, thermal imbalance leads to a thunderstorm. (Much) more later… just wait
COLD
![Page 9: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Permanent Atmospheric Gases
• Nitrogen (N2) – 78%
• Oxygen (O2) – 21%
• Argon (Ar) – 1%
![Page 10: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Variable Gases
• Water Vapor (H2O) (varies from ~ 0-4%)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Ozone (O3)
![Page 11: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Ozone (O3)• Mainly found in the Stratosphere
(a beneficial shield), but can often be found in the Troposphere (a harmful pollutant).
• Ozone absorbs UV radiation from the sun
• Photochemical reactions determine development and destruction of ozone:
Creation: O2 → O + O O2 + O + M = O3 + M
Depletion (need ChloroFluoroCarbons, CFCs):
CFCl3 + UV radiation = CFCl2 + Cl
Cl + O3 = ClO + O2 ClO + O = Cl + O2
![Page 13: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Fig. 1-8, p. 10
![Page 14: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Fig. 1-9, p. 11
![Page 15: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Carbon Dioxide
• Controlling factor on temperature (greenhouse gas)
• Increase since 1950s (intense debate regarding link to global warming)
• Sources include: animal respiration and combustion.
![Page 16: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Fig. 1-3, p. 6
![Page 17: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Fig. 1-4, p. 7
![Page 18: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Important Facts About
Water Vapor
![Page 19: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Water Vapor – the “other” greenhouse gas
• An invisible gas• Gaseous phase of water If you can see it, it’s not water
vapor!
![Page 20: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Water Vapor
• An invisible gas• Gaseous phase of water If you can see it, it’s not water
vapor!• Referred to as atmospheric moisture• Greatest concentration in lower
atmosphere (near surface of the Earth)
WHY?
![Page 21: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Water Vapor
• How does water vapor get into the atmosphere?
• By a process called EVAPORATION• Liquid water to water vapor Called a change of phase
![Page 22: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Gas vs. Liquid
Gas Liquid
![Page 23: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Fig. 1-5, p. 8
![Page 24: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Sources of Water Vaporleft photo from webworld98.com; right photo from killamfarms.com
EVAPORATION TRANSPIRATION
![Page 25: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Importance of Water Vapor
• Necessary for clouds to form (clouds are composed of LIQUID water droplets – CONDENSATION necessary!)
• Controlling factor on temperature (greenhouse gas)
• Phase transformations are a huge source of energy in the atmosphere– Energy from latent heat
release (condensation) in a thunderstorm is on the order of a 1 kiloton nuclear bomb!
![Page 26: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Aerosols
• Small (microscopic) solid particles (e.g., clay, silver iodide, organic material)
• Combustion by-products, sea spray, dust
• Act as condensation nuclei – the beginning of the precipitation process
• Affects health, visibility, optical effects
![Page 27: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Blowing Dust in Lubbock
Welcome to Lubbock, those of you who are new to the area…
![Page 28: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Fig. 1-11, p. 12
![Page 29: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
• Vertical Distribution of Mass
• Vertical Distribution of Temperature
![Page 30: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Vertical Distribution of Mass
• Density = mass per unit volume
• Density decreases with increasing altitude
• Figure from apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130
![Page 31: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Atmospheric Pressure
• Pressure = Force per unit Area
• Related to Density
Its how much “stuff” is above you
Stuff= atmosphere
![Page 32: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Pressure Change with Height
• Like density, pressure decreases with increasing altitude.
• It does so at a greater rate in the lower atmosphere• Here in Lubbock…we are at about 3300 ft (about 1 km)
elevation
![Page 33: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Fig. 1-13, p. 15
Hurricane Katrina at its peak: 902 mbHurricane Wilma at its peak: 882 mb – all time record low for Atlantic
![Page 34: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Ideal Gas Law
• Part of the Physics that governs the atmosphere…
• Atmosphere or air can be thought of as an “ideal” or “perfect” gas and follows a simple relation
Pressure x Volume = constant x TemperatureOrPressure = R x Density x Temperature
R=287.05 J/kg K
![Page 35: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Vertical Distribution of Temperature
• Average temperature distribution • FOUR layers• Temperature trend determines atmospheric layers – NOT A FIXED
DEPTH!
![Page 36: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Troposphere
• Where most “weather” occurs
![Page 37: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
TroposphereFigure from www.atmos.ucla.edu/AS3
• Temperature decreases with height
Amount of temperature decrease with height (e.g., -10 deg C / km) called a Lapse RateStrong cooling with height VERY important for development of thunderstorms!
![Page 38: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Troposphere
• Depth varies with latitude (greatest over tropics) and season (greatest in summer)
![Page 39: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Stratosphere
• Temperature increases with height – called an Inversion
• Contains Ozone (i.e., the “ozone layer”)
• Not much “weather” occurs
![Page 40: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Tropopause
• Boundary between the Troposphere and Stratosphere
![Page 41: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Mesosphere/Thermosphere
• Mesosphere – cooling with height
• Thermosphere – warming with height (inversion)
![Page 42: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
The Ionosphere
• Upper Mesosphere into Thermosphere
• Contains electrically charged particles called IONS
• Figure from apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes.met130
![Page 43: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
The Ionosphere• Affects radio transmissionsD layer absorbs AM radio wavesD layer disappears at night, E,F layers reflect AM radio
waves back to earth
• Figure from apollo.lac.vsc.edu/classes/met130
![Page 44: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
The Ionosphere• Where Aurora Borealis (northern lights)
occurs• Photo from climate.gi.alaska.edu/Curtis
![Page 45: Chapter 1 Introduction to the Atmosphere ATMO 1300 Spring 2010](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062322/56649ea15503460f94ba49fc/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
End of Chapter 1End of Chapter 1