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Atmosphere

Ch. 26

The Atmosphere

Earth’s atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet, protecting and sustaining life.

1) It insulates us so that we don’t freeze at night2) Its ozone layer protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.3) It also contains the carbon dioxide needed by plants for photosynthesis,

and the oxygen we need to breath.

What’s in Earth’s atmosphere?

Earth’s atmosphere is composed of:

- 78% N2- 21 O2

WRITE THIS DOWN, Sun’s Energy usage

The atmospheres of Venus, Earth and Mars were formed similarly….check out their elements?

What makes earth special?

Photosynthesis

Plants take in organic energy and use it to form chemical energy in the form of Glucose.

-CO2 + H2O -> C6H12O6 +O2

It is through Photosynthesis that life on Earth has actually changed the planet’s atmosphere.

Cellular Respiration

Process living organisms use to convert chemical energy into Kinetic energy.

C6H1206 + O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP (energy)

Atmospheric Pressure

1) Atmospheric Pressure is a measurement of the force of air molecules in the atmosphere at a given altitude.

2) The pressure of the atmosphere changes as you rise above sea level.

Why does pressure change with altitude?

Atmospheric Pressure

- At sea level, the weight of the column of air about a person is about 2,200 pounds… Think about it….

- That equals the weight of a small car

-Why aren’t we crushed?

Measuring Pressure

Layers of the Atmosphere

- The atmosphere is divided into four layers based on temperature changes.

- Why does the temperature increase in some layers of the atmosphere?

The four layers of the Atmosphere

1) Thermosphere: Where satellites orbit the Earth

2) Mesosphere: Where meteors burn

3) Stratosphere: Contains the Ozone layer

4) Troposphere: Where we live-most of the mass and all of the weather

Big Idea

We learned Wednesday about the different layers of the atmosphere. Today we look into how gases in those layers protect us from Solar energy and also how human production is harming our protective layer.

Learning Objectives1) Students, by the end of the chapter, will be experts on

Global climate change and all of the issues involved with the global crisis.

Solar RadiationEnergy from the Sun comes to Earth in the form of Electromagnetic Radiation

- Made up of: Visible and Ultraviolet energy

Lowest energy: Infrared light

Highest energy: Ultraviolet light

The Ozone LayerOzone Molecules = O3, Layer located at the top of the Stratosphere

-O3 layer protects us from Ultraviolet Rays (UV), which are extremely harmful. (i.e.Skin Cancer)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) - Produced by human emissions are destroying the layer of Ozone.

Where does the Earth get its energy?A) Our sun converts 5 million tons of its own mass into

energy every second.B) Earth intercepts only a tiny fraction of the energy from

the sun, it is enough to provide Earth with enough energy.

Greenhouse Effect1) Earth absorbs light

energy and re-radiates it as Infrared Radiation (IR)

2) CO2 prevents some IR from returning to space by re-radiating it (like a greenhouse.)

3) This helps to keep our planet at a temperature average of 16o C (60oF)

Where does the Carbon come from?

Global WarmingThe increasing of Earth’s average temperature

Causes of Global Warminga) Increasing levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (CH4,

H20, N2O)b) CO2

i) Stemming from burning fossil fuels

Causes of Global Climate Change

a) Burning more and more fossil fuelsb) Cement Productionc) Deforestation

FACT: The 2013 U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report concluded that it’s at least 95% probable that human activity, rather than natural variations in the climate, has been the main cause of global warming since 1950.

Consequences of Global Warming1) Ice Caps Melting2) Climate Changes3) Ecosystems and Farming4) Floods and Droughts

How to help1) Energy Conservation2) Reforestation3) Stop big business, because it is large industries that are

majorly affecting global warming

What is Game for the exam?

a) Photosynthesis and Cellular Respirationb) Layers of Atmospherec) Infrared Lightd) Ozone and the Ozone layer (Carbon)e) Chloroflourocarbonsf) Knowledge of the sun’s energyg) Greenhouse Effecth) Global Warming i) Causes, Consequences, and solutions to Global

Warming