warm-up atmosphere

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Warm-Up Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

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Words to Know

Fill in this table as you work through the lesson. You may also use the glossary to help you.

the amount of mass in a given volume

the blanket of gases that surrounds the surface of a planet

a form of oxygen that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun

a measure of how high above sea level an area is

the force pushing on an area or a surface

the force of a column of air pushing on a given area

the amount of matter in an object

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Lesson Goals

Describe the

composition of

Earth’s

atmosphere.

Describe the

importance of

the

atmosphere to

living things.

Explain how

altitude affects

air pressure

and density.

Identifyproperties of

air, including

and density.

Distinguishthe four main

layers of the

.

Lesson Question


Warm-Up Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

Reviewing Earth’s Layers

Earth has three distinct layers.

• Outermost layer

• Solid rock; both dry land and the ocean floor

• Thinner under ocean; thicker under mountains

• Three parts

• Solid lithosphere

• Thick, syrupy asthenosphere

• Solid lower mantle

• Two parts

• Molten outer core

• Solid inner core


Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

Components of Earth’s Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a layer of around Earth.

• Supports on Earth

• Distinguishes Earth from other

• Contains different gases

Nitrogen78.1%

Oxygen 20.9%

Argon 0.9%

Water vapor 0.04%Carbon dioxide 0.03%Trace gases <1%

Atmospheric Components

Nitrogen and Oxygen in the Atmosphere

The most abundant gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen.

Nitrogen

• Makes up percent of

atmosphere

• Helps living things make

Oxygen

• Makes up percent of

atmosphere

• Needed by plants and animals

• Needed to burn fuels

• Forms , which

absorbs harmful rays from the Sun

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Instruction



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Other Gases in the Atmosphere

Argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor are also present in the atmosphere,

though they make up only a portion.

Argon

• Makes up 0.9 percent of atmosphere

• Is not

Water Vapor

• Makes up 0.04 percent of “dry air” (amount varies)

• Forms

and on

very tiny particles

Carbon Dioxide

• Makes up 0.033 percent of atmosphere

• Used by

to make food

• Is released by animals and burning of

fuels

• Has increased over time

4 Importance of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere provides conditions that support on Earth.

• Provides

• Provides

• Keeps warm

• Filters out radiation

• Protects Earth from

Living organisms also affect the atmosphere.

Instruction



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Characteristics of Air

Air can be described by the following characteristics.

• Amount of matter an object contains

• Amount of mass in a certain volume

• How tightly molecules are packed

• Equal to mass divided by volume

• Force pushing on an area or a surface

Air Pressure

Air pressure is the result of a column of

air on an area.

• The column extends upward and pushes down, creating air pressure.

• in air push in all

directions.

• Denser air exerts more

than less

dense air.

Instruction



Effects of Altitude on Air Density

As altitude , density

decreases.

• molecules are farther

apart.

• Molecules in air push in all

.

• air exerts more

pressure than less dense air.

Instruction

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Effects of Altitude on Air Pressure

Altitude is the above sea level

of a given point.

• As altitude increases, air

pressure .

• The pressure decrease is due to

fewer air above

pushing down.


Instruction Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

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The Atmosphere of Earth

The layers of the atmosphere are classified according to changes in

.

• These layers include the:

• troposphere.

• stratosphere.

• mesosphere.

• .

Troposphere

The troposphere is located between 0 and 12 kilometers above Earth’s

.

• Innermost, layer of the atmosphere

• Varying conditions: rain, , storms, clouds

• air pressure of any layer



Stratosphere

The stratosphere is located 12 to 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface.

• Above the

• Contains the layer

• Gets warmer as altitude increases

• Good place for airplanes to fly

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Mesosphere

The mesosphere is located 50 to kilometers above Earth’s surface.

• Prevents from reaching Earth’s surface

• Gets colder as altitude increases

• Has an air pressure that is less than 1 percent of the air

of the troposphere

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Exploring the Atmosphere

Lidar devices help scientists study the atmosphere by using light.

• Lidar stands for light and ranging.

• Satellites carry -equipped instruments into space.

• Short of light reveal more about particles in each layer

of the atmosphere.

• Scientists use these data for a number of different purposes.

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Thermosphere

The thermosphere is 80 kilometers above Earth’s surface.

• Has no defined outer limit

• Is very

• Absorbs harmful from the Sun

• Is where northern/southern occur

• Includes and


Summary Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

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Review: Key Concepts

Earth’s atmosphere is made of gases—nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and trace gases.

The atmosphere provides conditions that make life possible.

• Provides

• Provides water

• Keeps Earth

• Filters out ultraviolet radiation

• Protects Earth from meteoroids

Answer

Lesson Question How is the atmosphere characterized??


Structure and Composition of the AtmosphereSummary

Review: Key Concepts

Earth’s atmosphere has four main layers.

• 0–12 km

• Has changing weather conditions

• Decrease in temperature with altitude

• 12–50 km

• Has ozone layer

• Increase in temperature with altitude

• 50–80 km

• Protects from meteoroids

• Decrease in temperature with altitude

• 80 km and beyond

• Is very hot due to radiation from Sun

• Is where satellites orbit

Stratosphere

Use this space to write any questions or thoughts about this lesson.

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warm-up atmosphere

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