This layer holds almost all of the water vapor in the atmosphere. The thickness of the atmosphere is only about 2% of earths thickness earths radius 6500km. Composition and structure of the earths atmosphere. The atmosphere is divided into the thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, and troposphere, and the. Composition of the atmosphere north carolina climate office. Compared to the earths radius, the atmosphere appears to be only a very thin layer of gases. The atmosphere protects life on earth by absorbing taking ultraviolet rays. It contains 99% of the water vapor and 75% of the atmospheric gases. The radiosonde the ionosphere weather and climate a satellites view of the weather storms of all sizes a look at a weather map weather and climate in our lives focus on a. The industrial revolution sparked a huge advance in technology and development, but it led to air pollution and contaminants being released into the air. Earth s heat balance is and extremely important factor in what makes the earth livable.
The composition of the atmosphere can be explained by looking at volcanic activity, which is rather limited over earths surface today but was apparently widespread billions of years ago as the early earth cooled slowly from its primordial molten state. Humidity varies from place to place and season to season. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. This removal of metallic iron and possible fractions of ironsoluble elements like sulfur, carbon, and hydrogen left the earths surface and mantle in a considerably more oxidized chemical state, a condition that would have. However, 99 % of the total mass of the atmosphere is confined to the height of 32 km from the earths surface. The earths atmosphere is composed of a layer of gases that encase the planet and that are constrained by gravitational forces.
Atmosphere our planet earth is enveloped by a deep blanket of gases extending several thousands of kilometres above its surface. Atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the earth. Water reservoir depth if spread over the entire surface of earth percent of total oceans 2650 m 97% icecaps and glaciers 60 m 2. Life and the evolution of earths atmosphere stephen j. Atmosphere is a multilayered envelope of different gases just like a protective blanket surrounding the earth which holds up life on earth and saves it from harmful environment of outer space. The composition of the atmosphere has changed since the earth was formed 4. The earth s atmosphere contains mostly nitrogen and oxygen. The composition of the air remains constant through the lower three. Traveling from the surface of the planet upward, the major layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Because of the shallowness of the atmosphere, its motions over large areas are primarily horizontal.
Like children playing in the mud, humans have dirtied the earth s atmosphere and environment in multiple ways. This phenomenon is also closely connected to flows on the earth, and the solar energy to the earth. The earth is surrounded by a thin layer of gasses which, as you know, is called the atmosphere. Read this essay to learn about atmosphere, composition of atmosphere and energy balance in atmosphere. Without the protective layer of gases that make up earth s atmosphere, the harsh conditions of the solar system would render the planet a barren, lifeless husk like the moon. Ask the pupils to think about the composition of the current atmosphere and to suggest how the primeval atmosphere evolved into it. The earth s atmosphere protects and sustains the planets inhabitants by providing warmth and absorbing harmful solar rays. Earths atmosphere atmosphere is the gaseous layer that surrounds the earth is a is a mixture of gases that is naturally odorless, colourless, tasteless and formless aiair is blended so thoroughly that it behaves as if it were a single gas. Earth s atmosphere is made up of a combination of gases. Trace amounts of other gases play a critical role in the atmosphere. The fact that the earth can respond to slight changes in the amount of incoming radiation to maintain a fairly stable temperature is a result of earth s energy budget. Because of the shallowness of the atmosphere, its motions over. Composition and structure of the earths atmosphere clear ias. Earths atmosphere the atmosphere is the thin envelope of gas molecules surrounding the earth.
A look at earth s atmosphere, including its origins, composition, and characteristics. The permanent gases composing todays atmosphere are mostly nitrogen n 2, 78%, oxygen o 2, 21% and argon ar, 1%, with much smaller trace amounts of some of the gases found in the early earths atmosphere. Asks students to circle the gases present in the atmosphere today as all as all as say which is unique to earth and draw a pie chart of the composition of gases. Earth s atmosphere consists of a number of layers that differ in properties such as composition, temperature and pressure. To get an idea of the size of the atmosphere, imagine that earth were the size of an apple. Some gases in the atmosphere, however, experience changes. Composition of the atmosphere the atmosphere and the. The water vapor may then condense into water droplets and form clouds.
It goes all the way to 10,000 km above the earth s surface. These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere. Core, mantle, and crust are divisions based on composition. Sixth grade lesson the layers of the atmosphere betterlesson. Teacher background earth system research laboratory. The atmosphere is thin relative to the size of earth. The composition of the atmosphere is not static and it changes according to the time and place. In this video, we will check out the different layers of the atmosphere, including the troposphere. Oct, 2017 earth s atmosphere is about 300 miles 480 kilometers thick, but most of it is within 10 miles 16 km the surface. The atmosphere is the layer of gases around the earth. The atmosphere of earth is the layer of gases, commonly known as air, that surrounds the planet earth and is retained by earth s gravity. Composition of the earths atmosphere universe today. The mantle is hot and represents about 68 percent of earths mass.
Summarize the structure and composition of our atmosphere. The atmosphere is actually very thin compared to the size of the earth, equivalent in thickness to a piece of paper laid over a beach ball. This gaseous cover of the earth is known as the atmosphere. Nitrogen and oxygen are the two main gases in the atmosphere and 99 percentage of the. About 78 percent is nitrogen, and about 21 percent is oxygen. The composition of earth the earth is divided into several layers with different composition and physical properties. Trilobites, ammonites, seascorpions, dinosaurs, mastodons, sabertoothed cats, and many other life forms that depended upon the atmosphere and hydrosphere have come and gone throughout earths history. Thinking about it, theres a subtle kind of poetry involved with its scientific definition. At greater heights, diffusion becomes the principal transport process, and the lighter gases become relatively more abundant. Atmosphere, the gas and aerosol envelope that extends from the ocean, land, and icecovered surface of a planet outward into space. Earth s atmosphere is composed of about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and a 1percent mixture of minor gases dominated by argon. Except for water vapor, whose atmospheric abundance varies from practically zero up to 4%, the fractions of the major atmospheric components n 2, o 2, and ar are remarkably uniform below about 100 km. Evolution of the atmosphere, the process by which the current atmosphere arose from earlier conditions.
Chapter 1 composition and structure of the atmosphere. Thermosphere the thermosphere is next and the air is very thin here. By comparison, venus has an atmosphere that is high in ammonia and other caustic gases. Ironically, it is the view of earth from the airless vacuum of space that provides us with a view of just how thin is the veil of atmosphere around the planet fig. Give them a sheet of a3 white paper divided into two sections, atmosphere and ocean, as shown in the diagram evolving atmosphere 1. Overview of the earths atmosphere composition of the atmosphere the early atmosphere vertical structure of the atmosphere a brief look at air pressure and air density layers of the atmosphere focus on an observation. The lecture notes section includes the lecture files related with the file. Temperatures can get extremely hot in the thermosphere. The earth s atmosphere consists of a mixture of noble gas atoms and many kinds of molecules.
Methane is an important trace gas in earths atmosphere. The atmosphere has provided for life on earth for at least the last 3. The earth is unique in our solar system because it has an atmosphere that can support life. July 15, 2004 with a mission to study the chemistry, composition, and dynamics of. Students will create a model of the layers of the atmosphere, plot the altitude of each layer on a graph, and write andor draw features of each layer on this graph. It shows some of the important events in the history of the earth and evolution of the atmosphere. Climatology the science that studies longterm atmospheric. The lowest layer is the troposphere, which extends from the surface to the bottom of the stratosphere. The atmospheric chemistry studies the chemical composition of the natural atmosphere, the way gases, liquids, and solids in the atmosphere interact with each other and with the earth s surface and associated biota, and how human activities may be changing the chemical and physical characteristics of the atmosphere. Encyclopedia of life support systems eolss troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere highest region of the atmosphere. Natural processes and human activity have changed the atmosphere, and continue to change it today.
Atmospheric composition focus area science mission directorate. Please double check that all of this information is included on your note sheet. This lesson is designed to expose students to the 5 layers of earth s atmosphere. Some gases in the atmosphere, however, experience changes in their concentrations in space and time. The iron catastrophe was an important event in the earth s history.
Mojzsis is an assistant professor in the department of geological sciences at the university of colorado, boulder. It exists today as a mixture of several gases, the composition of which within the first 25 km of the earths surface is presented in. Reveal earths atmosphere national geographic youtube. The crust makes up less than 1 percent of earth by mass, consisting of oceanic crust and continental crust is often more felsic rock. Structure of the atmosphere understanding weather and climate aguado and burt 12008 version atmo 0 definitions atmosphere the gases, droplets and particles surrounding the earths surface. By the early 1800s, however, scientists such as john dalton recognized that the atmosphere was in fact composed of several chemically distinct gases, which he was able to separate and determine. Water vapor rises from earths surface into the atmosphere.
Mar 19, 2015 composition and development of the earth s atmosphere by. The atmosphere is actually very thin compared to the size of the earth. A view of the earth from space, looking from orbit beyond the exosphere, down through the layers of the thermosphere, mesosphere, and stratosphere, at a thick cloud layer topping the troposphere. The composition of the earth article pdf available in chemical geology 675. In the hurlyburly chaos following the formation of the solar system 4. Water oceans condensed from the steam after 2 myr, but for some 10100 myr the surface stayed warm 500k, the length of time depending on how quickly the co 2 was removed into the mantle. The amount of methane in the atmosphere is the result of a balance between production on the surface. The earths physical environment is traditionally divided into three major parts spheres. Breathe in and you can appreciate that the earths atmosphere has everything needed to support life on earth. Thickness of the atmosphere most of the atmospheric mass is confined in the lowest 100 km above the sea level. The atmosphere is concentrated at the earths surface and rapidly thins as you move upward, blending with space at about 100 miles above sea level.
Lets take a look at the composition of the earths atmosphere. Lecture notes general circulation of the earths atmosphere. Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere. The composition of earth s atmosphere is largely governed by the byproducts of the life that it sustains. The earth s atmosphere is composed of layers each with different characteristics. Earths atmosphere protects us from incoming space projectiles. Earths earliest atmosphere 217 t he aftermath of the moonforming impactleft earth with a hot, co 2rich steam atmosphere. Nitrogen and oxygen together make up 99 percent of the planets atmosphere. This is where the clouds are located and airplanes fly at within this layer. If enough water droplets collect in clouds they may fall as rain. Layers of the earths atmosphere worksheet includes. Temperature, density, and viscosity ability to flow. The atmosphere is like a blanket around the earth and is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0. The atmospheric composition focus area consists of research on the composition of earth s atmosphere, particularly of the troposphere and stratosphere, in relation to climate forcing, atmospheric ozone and aerosols, solar effects, air quality, and surface emissions of radiatively and chemically active source gases and particulates.
Compare the composition, properties and structure of earth s atmosphere to include mixture of gases and differences in temperature and pressure within layers. Meteorology the science that studies the atmosphere and its processes. The chemical composition of the earth article pdf available in earth and planetary science letters 434. Changes in composition earth s primordial atmosphere was probably similar to the gas cloud that created the sun and planets. Atmospheric composition during the phanerozoic time 4. The atmosphere can be defined as the relatively thin gaseous envelope surrounding the entire planet earth. Lets find out where these layers are located in relation to the earths surface and how they are affected by temperature. In this layer, the higher up from earths surface you go, the colder it gets.
Earths layers are made of different mixtures of elements. The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere is about 21% and all living beings use oxygen present in the atmosphere for breathing. Chapter 1 composition and structure of the atmosphere understanding weather and climate aguado and burt 12008 version atmo 0 definitions atmosphere the gases, droplets and particles surrounding the earths surface. The rest of the gases are minor components but sometimes are very important. Structure of the atmosphere north carolina climate office. The main sources of oxygen in the atmosphere are plants and trees. Mar 09, 2009 the atmosphere we have today is very different from the earths early atmosphere.
The human impact on the earths atmosphere and climate remains a major issue in. It contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, other gases, and a variable amount of water vapour. Earths atmosphere spot the difference activity comparing composition of the atmosphere today with the early atmosphere. The layer of the atm osphere in which you live is the densest of all the layers. Nearly all life and all weather occur in this layer. Like land lithosphere and water hydrosphere, the atmosphere is an integral part of the earth. The atmosphere is a mixture of different types of gases. The atmosphere protects life on earth by absorbing.
Three quarters of the atmosphere s mass resides within the troposphere, and is the layer within which the earth s terrestrial weather develops. It contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, pollution, and weather, to name a few. The air has a special place among the conditions necessary for life. The earth s atmosphere the composition of earth s atmosphere. Earth system composition and structure of the atmosphere zaitseva nina.
The troposphere is the layer closest to the surface of earth. Atmosphere, composition and structure body, used, water. The composition and structure of earth physical geography. Aston suspected that the early solar system was an important time for earths atmosphere, and indeed it was. The density of the atmosphere decreases outward, because the planets gravitational attraction, which pulls the gases and aerosols inward, is greatest close to the surface. Thermal structure and chemical composition of the atmosphere. The atmosphere is made up of different gases, water vapour and dust particles. The earth s atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet earth and retained by the earth s gravity. It also contains small quantities of other gases, some of which are carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone, helium and hydrogen. Instead of eight large planets and a sun separated by virtually empty. This%text%is%derivative%from%content%on%windows%to%the%universe% %2010,% national%earth%science%teachers%association. The following questions will help the pupils to place the coloured balls on the. The major components of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon remain constant over time and space, while trace components like co 2 and water vapor vary considerably over both space and time. Evidence of these changes, though indirect, is abundant.
Earths atmosphere is divided into five major layers. Atmospheric layers earths atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics. There were lots of volcanoes, many more than today, because earths crust was still forming. As volcanic material cooled, gases were released through the process of outgassing, which. Composition of earths atmosphere flashcards quizlet.
The atmosphere of earth protects life on earth by creating pressure allowing for liquid water to exist on the earth s surface, absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention greenhouse effect, and reducing temperature. It consisted of hydrogen and helium, along with methane, ammonia, and water. The atmosphere can be divided into vertical layers. Use red and blue to color the temperature of each layer. Atmosphere composition and structure notes the domain of air on the earth geography 9 atmosphere composition and structure earth is a unique planet because the life is found only on this planet. Sediments and rocks record past changes in atmospheric composition from chemical reactions with earths crust and biochemical processes associated with life.
298 258 1252 279 1208 1003 1284 983 262 441 479 1212 982 1467 1398 350 909 749 582 1152 8 96 562 205 931 1088 1054 105 79 866 619 769 1243 704 148 187