the air we breathe
DESCRIPTION
THE AIR WE BREATHE. Earth’s Atmosphere. The atmosphere is broken down into 4 distinct layers based on temperature variations. TROPOSPHERE. extends from the earth’s surface to approximately the top of Mt. Everest 75 % of all gases (held in place by gravity ) weather occurs here - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
THE AIR WE BREATHE
Earth’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere is broken down into 4 distinct layers based on temperature variations.
TROPOSPHEREextends from the earth’s surface to
approximately the top of Mt. Everest75% of all gases weather occurs heretemperature decreases with altitude
(1.5 °C/1,000 feet) known as the lapse rate
- this is due to adiabatic cooling- warm air rises, there is less atmospheric pressure which allows the air to expand and cool
TROPOPAUSEnot a layeracts as a ceiling for weathercontains the Jet Streams- west to east flow of air- maximum speed of 200 mph
STRATOSPHERE temperatures increase with altitude
due to the good ozone layer absorbing UV radiation from the sun
- UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and genetic mutations- prior ozone in our atmosphere life only existed in water - This ozone is being depleted by CFC’s (refrigerants and propellants for aerosols)