CHAPTER
NEW CHAPTER
Earth’s Changing Atmosphere
the BIG idea
Earth’s atmosphere is a blanket of gases that supports and
protects life.
15.1 Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
15.2 The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
15.3 Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
15.4 Human activities affect the atmosphere.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
CHAPTER RESOURCES
15.1
KEY CONCEPT
CHAPTER HOME
Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
The atmosphere is a thin layer surrounding Earth.
Gases in the atmosphere provide substances
essential for living things. Natural cycles and
sudden changes affect the atmosphere.
VOCABULARY
atmosphere
altitude
density
cycle
Gases of Earth's Atmosphere
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
click image to enlarge
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.2
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
Energy from the Sun moves through Earth's atmosphere
in three ways.
Transfer of Energy
Radiation, conduction, and convection move energy from place
to place.
VOCABULARY
radiation
conduction
convection
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.2
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
Energy from the Sun moves through Earth's atmosphere
in three ways.
VOCABULARY
radiation
conduction
convection
VISUALIZATION
See radiation, conduction,
and convection in action.
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.2
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
Density and temperature change with altitude.
The layers, from top to bottom, are
• thermosphere
VOCABULARY
radiation
conduction
convection
• mesosphere
• stratosphere
• troposphere
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.3
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
Ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb harmful
ultraviolet radiation.
VOCABULARY
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.3
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
Greenhouse gases in the troposphere keep Earth warm
by absorbing and emitting infrared radiation.
VOCABULARY
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.3
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
Greenhouse gases in the troposphere keep Earth warm
by absorbing and emitting infrared radiation.
VOCABULARY
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
greenhouse gas
VISUALIZATION
CLASSZONE.COM
See how the greenhouse
effect works.
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.4
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
Human activities affect the atmosphere.
Human activities have added pollutants and ozonedestroying chemicals to the atmosphere.
VOCABULARY
air pollution
particulate
fossil fuel
Natural Sources
Human Activities
• dust, pollen, soil, salt
• volcanoes and forest fires:
gases and particles
•
•
•
•
smog
fossil fuels: gases and particles
unburned fuels: smog
manufacturing: gases and particles
tractors/construction equipment:
dust and soil
• farming: fertilizers and pesticides
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.4
KEY CONCEPT
CHAPTER HOME
Human activities affect the atmosphere.
The amounts of greenhouse gases have been
increasing and global temperatures are rising.
VOCABULARY
air pollution
particulate
fossil fuel
smog
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
SECTION
OUTLINE
15.1
KEY CONCEPT
CHAPTER HOME
Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
I. Earth’s atmosphere supports life.
VOCABULARY
atmosphere
A. The atmosphere makes life on Earth possible.
1. Characteristics of the Atmosphere
2. Materials in the Atmosphere
altitude
density
cycle
B. Natural processes modify the atmosphere.
1. Ongoing Processes
2. Sudden Changes
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
KEY CONCEPT
SUMMARY
15.2
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
II. The Sun supplies the atmosphere’s energy.
A. Energy from the Sun heats the atmosphere.
B. The atmosphere moves energy.
VOCABULARY
radiation
conduction
convection
C. The atmosphere has temperature layers.
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
KEY CONCEPT
SUMMARY
15.3
CHAPTER HOME
KEY CONCEPT
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
III. Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.
A. Gases can absorb and give off radiation.
B. The ozone layer protects life from harmful
radiation.
VOCABULARY
ultraviolet radiation
infrared radiation
ozone
greenhouse effect
C. The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm.
greenhouse gas
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
KEY CONCEPT
SUMMARY
15.4
KEY CONCEPT
CHAPTER HOME
Human activities affect the atmosphere.
IV. Human activities affect the atmosphere.
A. Human activity can cause air pollution.
VOCABULARY
air pollution
particulate
1. Types of Pollution
fossil fuel
2. Effects of Pollution
smog
3. Controlling Pollution
B. Human activities are increasing greenhouse
gases.
1. Sources of Greenhouse Gases
2. Global Warming
3. Reducing Greenhouse Gases
C. Human activities produce chemicals that
destroy the ozone layer.
CHAPTER
RESOURCES
KEY CONCEPT
SUMMARY
CHAPTER HOME
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