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Composition and Layers of
    the Atmosphere
          Mr. Silva
      Ag Earth Science
Composition of the Atmosphere
•   Nitrogen    78.08%
•   Oxygen      20.95%
•   Argon 0.93% (9300 ppm)
•   Carbon Dioxide 0.035% (350 ppm)
•   Neon 18 ppm
•   Helium 5.2 ppm
•   Methane     1.4 ppm
•   Ozone 0.07 ppm
            3. Composition of the Atmosphere
Other Components of the
              Atmosphere
•   Water Droplets
•   Ice Crystals
•   Sulfuric Acid Aerosols
•   Volcanic Ash
•   Windblown Dust
•   Sea Salt
•   Human Pollutants

              3. Composition of the Atmosphere
Aerosols


    Aerosols
  Any solid or liquid particle in the
atmosphere.

•Natural (e.g. dust) and human (e.g.
soot) sources.

•Can remain suspended for long
periods of time (days to weeks).

•Contribute to cloud formation and
precipitation by acting as
condensation nuclei.
Aerosols: Saharan Dust Storm

Dust particles are about 10 micro-meters in
 size (0.00001 meters). Roughly 1/10 the
width of a human hair. Big ones settle out..
Aerosols: Pollution over Los Angeles
Ozone: O 3
Partial Pressure
        Gas                 Molecular                 Partial
                             Weight                  Pressure
Nitrogen                         28                      78%

Oxygen                           32                      21%

Argon                            40                      0.9%

Water Vapor                      18                      0-4%

Carbon Dioxide                   44                   350 ppm


           2. Partial pressure, vapor pressure and humidity
Layers of the Atmosphere
Structure (Layers) of the
           Atmosphere
• Defined by Temperature Profiles
• Troposphere
  – Where Weather Happens
• Stratosphere
  – Ozone Layer
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere
  – Ionosphere

   4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
6.1 layer and composition of the atmosphere
The Troposphere
• Most dense
• All weather takes place here
Troposphere
• Heating of the Surface creates warm air at
  surface
• Warm air rises, but air expands as it rises
  and cools as it expands (Adiabatic
  cooling)
• Heating + Adiabatic Cooling = Warm air at
  surface, cooler air above
• Buoyancy = Cool air at surface, warmer
  air above
• Two opposing tendencies = constant
  turnover the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
    4. Layers in
The Stratosphere
• Dry
• Absorbs ultraviolet
  radiation (UV)
• Ozone layer is here
• Ozone (O3) absorbs
  much UV C and
  UV B waves.
Stratosphere
• Altitude 11-50 km
• Temperature increases with altitude
• -60 C at base to 0 C at top
• Reason: absorption of solar energy to
  make ozone at upper levels (ozone layer)
• Ozone (O3) is effective at absorbing solar
  ultraviolet radiation

    4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
The Mesosphere
• Coldest
• Many meteors burn up here
Mesosphere
•   50 – 80 km altitude
•   Temperature decreases with altitude
•   0 C at base, -95 C at top
•   Top is coldest region of atmosphere




     4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
The Thermosphere (Ionosphere)
• Region of charged ions (positive) and
  electrons
• Electrons are torn off atoms by sunlight of
  short wavelengths
• Electrons don’t recombine easily because
  the distance between molecules is large
  at high altitudes and collisions are not
  frequent
Thermosphere
• 80 km and above
• Temperature increases with altitude as
  atoms accelerated by solar radiation
• -95 C at base to 100 C at 120 km
• Heat content negligible
• Traces of atmosphere to 1000 km
• Formerly called Ionosphere

   4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
6.1 layer and composition of the atmosphere

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6.1 layer and composition of the atmosphere

  • 1. Composition and Layers of the Atmosphere Mr. Silva Ag Earth Science
  • 2. Composition of the Atmosphere • Nitrogen 78.08% • Oxygen 20.95% • Argon 0.93% (9300 ppm) • Carbon Dioxide 0.035% (350 ppm) • Neon 18 ppm • Helium 5.2 ppm • Methane 1.4 ppm • Ozone 0.07 ppm 3. Composition of the Atmosphere
  • 3. Other Components of the Atmosphere • Water Droplets • Ice Crystals • Sulfuric Acid Aerosols • Volcanic Ash • Windblown Dust • Sea Salt • Human Pollutants 3. Composition of the Atmosphere
  • 4. Aerosols Aerosols Any solid or liquid particle in the atmosphere. •Natural (e.g. dust) and human (e.g. soot) sources. •Can remain suspended for long periods of time (days to weeks). •Contribute to cloud formation and precipitation by acting as condensation nuclei.
  • 5. Aerosols: Saharan Dust Storm Dust particles are about 10 micro-meters in size (0.00001 meters). Roughly 1/10 the width of a human hair. Big ones settle out..
  • 8. Partial Pressure Gas Molecular Partial Weight Pressure Nitrogen 28 78% Oxygen 32 21% Argon 40 0.9% Water Vapor 18 0-4% Carbon Dioxide 44 350 ppm 2. Partial pressure, vapor pressure and humidity
  • 9. Layers of the Atmosphere
  • 10. Structure (Layers) of the Atmosphere • Defined by Temperature Profiles • Troposphere – Where Weather Happens • Stratosphere – Ozone Layer • Mesosphere • Thermosphere – Ionosphere 4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
  • 12. The Troposphere • Most dense • All weather takes place here
  • 13. Troposphere • Heating of the Surface creates warm air at surface • Warm air rises, but air expands as it rises and cools as it expands (Adiabatic cooling) • Heating + Adiabatic Cooling = Warm air at surface, cooler air above • Buoyancy = Cool air at surface, warmer air above • Two opposing tendencies = constant turnover the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles 4. Layers in
  • 14. The Stratosphere • Dry • Absorbs ultraviolet radiation (UV) • Ozone layer is here • Ozone (O3) absorbs much UV C and UV B waves.
  • 15. Stratosphere • Altitude 11-50 km • Temperature increases with altitude • -60 C at base to 0 C at top • Reason: absorption of solar energy to make ozone at upper levels (ozone layer) • Ozone (O3) is effective at absorbing solar ultraviolet radiation 4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
  • 16. The Mesosphere • Coldest • Many meteors burn up here
  • 17. Mesosphere • 50 – 80 km altitude • Temperature decreases with altitude • 0 C at base, -95 C at top • Top is coldest region of atmosphere 4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles
  • 18. The Thermosphere (Ionosphere) • Region of charged ions (positive) and electrons • Electrons are torn off atoms by sunlight of short wavelengths • Electrons don’t recombine easily because the distance between molecules is large at high altitudes and collisions are not frequent
  • 19. Thermosphere • 80 km and above • Temperature increases with altitude as atoms accelerated by solar radiation • -95 C at base to 100 C at 120 km • Heat content negligible • Traces of atmosphere to 1000 km • Formerly called Ionosphere 4. Layers in the atmosphere are defined by temperature profiles