temperature inversions. temperature inversion air molecules as you go higher in the atmosphere, air...
TRANSCRIPT
TemperatureInversions
Temperature Inversion
Air Molecules
• As you go higher in the atmosphere, air becomes less dense.
• The air molecules are spaced further apart 1
Air Molecule Density
Air Density
• That is why it is hard to breathe at high altitudes.
• That is also why it is colder at high altitudes
Molecule Density Verses Temperature
Heat is from molecule collisions.
Fewer molecules……
Fewer collisions……
Less heat! 2
Why Air Density Changes
• The weight of the air causes the at the ground to have high pressure.
• Gravity pulls the air close to the earth
• The high pressure pushes the air molecules close together 3
Air Molecule Density
Temperature vs Pressure• As the pressure of a gas drops, it’s
temperature also drops.
• Evidence– Condensation on a Coleman lantern– Warm soda cools when you open it.
Air Temperature vs Altitude
SO,
The higher you go. . .
The less dense the air . . .
The colder it gets!
Air Temperature
Smoke Rises in the Air,Normally
Why does the hot smoke rise?
4
• What happens to the temperature of the hot smoke as is rises?
5
Temperature Inversion
• A temperature inversion is when a layer of warmer air covers the colder air at ground level.
6
Temperature Inversion
• It forms when the ground level air is kept cold by the cold ground.
• Then a warm air mass comes from another area and covers the cold air.
• The inversion acts like a lid over the cold ground level air 7-8
How it Happens
Smoke Stops Rising!
Why does the smoke stop rising?
9
All Over Town
The Air Gets Dirty!
Real Dirty!
Temperature Inversion
SO WHAT?
• How do
• temperature inversions
• affect us?
What Can We Do?
What are some ways
we can protect ourselves
from the effects of
temperature inversions?