The Atmosphere, Weather, The Atmosphere, Weather, and Climateand Climate

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The Spheres of EarthThe Spheres of Earth

Earth’s Earth’s biospherebiosphere is the thin layer of is the thin layer of the Earth that is able to support life.the Earth that is able to support life.

The Spheres of EarthThe Spheres of Earth

Earth’s Earth’s biospherebiosphere is the thin layer of is the thin layer of the Earth that is able to support life. the Earth that is able to support life.

It consists of the:It consists of the:

•hydrospherehydrosphere: the water: the water

• lithospherelithosphere: the rock (the crust): the rock (the crust)

•atmosphereatmosphere: the gas: the gas

The Composition of the The Composition of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere is approximately:The atmosphere is approximately:

The Composition of the The Composition of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere is approximately:The atmosphere is approximately:

• 78% nitrogen gas78% nitrogen gas

• 21% oxygen gas21% oxygen gas

• 1% other gases 1% other gases

(argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)(argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)

The Composition of the The Composition of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere is approximately:The atmosphere is approximately:

• 78% nitrogen gas78% nitrogen gas

• 21% oxygen gas21% oxygen gas

• 1% other gases 1% other gases

(argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)(argon, carbon dioxide, etc.)

and atmospheric dust particles, both and atmospheric dust particles, both abiotic (e.g. soot) and biotic abiotic (e.g. soot) and biotic (microorganisms)(microorganisms)

The Layers of the The Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere can be divided into The atmosphere can be divided into layers:layers:

The Layers of the The Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere can be divided into The atmosphere can be divided into layers:layers:

The Layers of the The Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere can be divided into The atmosphere can be divided into layers:layers:

The Layers of the The Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere can be divided into The atmosphere can be divided into layers:layers:

The Layers of the The Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphere

The atmosphere can be divided into The atmosphere can be divided into layers:layers:

The Layers of the The Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphereThe atmosphere can be divided into layers:The atmosphere can be divided into layers:

The edge of space above the The edge of space above the thermosphere is often referred to as the thermosphere is often referred to as the exosphereexosphere..

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

WeatherWeather is the environmental is the environmental conditions (temperature, conditions (temperature, precipitation, etc.) occurring at a precipitation, etc.) occurring at a particular place at a particular time.particular place at a particular time.

ClimateClimate is the average weather is the average weather conditions over a long period of time conditions over a long period of time (years).(years).

Climate factors:Climate factors:

The 4 main factors affecting an area’s The 4 main factors affecting an area’s climate are:climate are:

Climate factors:Climate factors:

The 4 main factors affecting an area’s The 4 main factors affecting an area’s climate are:climate are:

• LatitudeLatitude

Climate factors:Climate factors:

The 4 main factors affecting an area’s The 4 main factors affecting an area’s climate are:climate are:

• LatitudeLatitude

• ElevationElevation

Climate factors:Climate factors:

The 4 main factors affecting an area’s The 4 main factors affecting an area’s climate are:climate are:

• LatitudeLatitude

• ElevationElevation

• Air masses that flow Air masses that flow

over the areaover the area

Climate factors:Climate factors:

The 4 main factors affecting an area’s The 4 main factors affecting an area’s climate are:climate are:

• LatitudeLatitude

• ElevationElevation

• Air masses that flow over the areaAir masses that flow over the area

• Nearness to large bodies of waterNearness to large bodies of water

BiomesBiomesA A biomebiome is a large geographical region is a large geographical region

with a defined range of temperature with a defined range of temperature and precipitation – its climate.and precipitation – its climate.

BiomesBiomesA A biomebiome is a large geographical region is a large geographical region

with a defined range of temperature with a defined range of temperature and precipitation – its climate.and precipitation – its climate.

BiomesBiomesEach biome is characterized by the Each biome is characterized by the

plant (and animal) life that is plant (and animal) life that is adapted to it.adapted to it.

E.g. the cold, dry tundra is E.g. the cold, dry tundra is characterized by its lichens, mosses, characterized by its lichens, mosses, and sedges.and sedges.

BiomesBiomes

Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:

BiomesBiomes

Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:

BiomesBiomes

Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:

BiomesBiomes

Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:

BiomesBiomes

Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:Canada’s terrestrial biomes are:

ClimatographsClimatographs

The climate of any particular area can The climate of any particular area can be analyzed using climatographs:be analyzed using climatographs:

Toronto’s ClimateToronto’s Climate

We will be using climatographs to We will be using climatographs to analyze how Toronto’s climate has analyze how Toronto’s climate has changed from 1840 – 1859 to 1971 – changed from 1840 – 1859 to 1971 – 2000.2000.

p. 270 – 271 Inquiry Activity:p. 270 – 271 Inquiry Activity:

““Toronto, Then and Now”Toronto, Then and Now”