Chapter 6
The Atmosphere
Preview
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Section 4 Air Pollution
Concept Mapping
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Bellringer
List the ways that the atmosphere is different from
outer space.
Write your list in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Objectives
• Describe the composition of Earth’s atmosphere.
• Explain why air pressure changes with altitude.
• Explain how air temperature changes with
atmospheric composition.
• Describe the layers of the atmosphere.
Chapter 6
Properties of Air
A. Air is a gas.
B. It takes up space.
C. It has mass.
D. It exerts pressure.
E. It expands when heated and contracts when
cooled.
F. Hot air is less dense than cold air so hot air will
weigh less than cold air.
G. Air has velocity.
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
The Composition of the Atmosphere
• The atmosphere is made up mostly of nitrogen gas. Oxygen
makes up a little more than 20% of the atmosphere. Water in
the form of a gas called water vapor along with tiny particles
such as dirt, salt from the oceans, and ash from volcanoes
make up part of the remaining atmosphere.
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature
• The atmosphere is held around the Earth by gravity.
Gravity pulls gas molecules in the atmosphere toward the
Earth’s surface, causing air pressure, which is the measure
of the force with which air molecules push on a surface.
• As altitude increases, air pressure decreases.
• Air temperature changes as altitude increases.
Depending on the amount of gases that absorb solar
energy, the temperature can increase or decrease in the
layers of the atmosphere. When a gas absorbs energy
from the sun, the air temperature goes up.
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere
• There are four main layers of the atmosphere.
•The divisions between the layers are based on how
each layer’s temperature changes with height.
• The Troposphere: The Layer in Which We Live
•The lowest layer of the atmosphere,
•lies next to the Earth’s surface
•Weather occurs in this layer
•Densest layer of the atmosphere
•Both air temperature and air pressure
decrease as you move higher in this layer
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
The Stratosphere: Home of the Ozone Layer
•The atmospheric layer above the troposphere
•The gases in this layer do not mix, they are layered
•Temperature increase due to ozone which absorbs energy
from the sun (ultraviolet energy)
•Pressure decreases
• The Mesosphere: The Middle Layer
• the middle layer of the atmosphere.
•It is the coldest layer.
•Temperature decreases
•Pressure decreases
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
• The Thermosphere: The Edge of the Atmosphere
• The uppermost atmospheric layer
• temperature increases
• pressure decreases
• has the highest temperatures
• The Ionosphere: Home of the Auroras
•In the upper mesosphere and the lower thermosphere
•nitrogen and oxygen atoms absorb harmful solar
energy.
•Auroras occur
•Reflects radio waves
Chapter 6
Section 1 Characteristics of the Atmosphere
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Bellringer
How is food heated in an oven? How is food heated
on a range top?
Record your response in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Objectives
• Describe what happens to solar energy that
reaches Earth.
• Summarize the processes of radiation, thermal
conduction, and convection.
• Explain the relationship between the greenhouse
effect and global warming.
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Energy in the Atmosphere
• Radiation: Energy Transfer by Waves
•The Earth receives energy from the sun by radiation.
•Radiation is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves.
•Not all of the radiation from the sun reaches Earth’s surface.
Much of it gets absorbed by the atmosphere.
•As solar energy is absorbed by air, water, and land, it turns
into heat energy. This energy causes winds, the water cycle,
ocean currents, and changes in the weather.
•Some of the radiation is scattered and reflected by clouds
and gases.
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Energy in the Atmosphere
Conduction: Energy Transfer by Contact
Thermal conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through
a material.
•It is always transferred from warm to cold areas.
Convection: Energy Transfer by Circulation
•Convection is the transfer of thermal energy by the
circulation or movement of a liquid or gas.
•As air warms it becomes less dense and rises. As air cools,
it becomes more dense and sinks. This cycle of warm air
rising and cool air sinking causes a circular movement of air
called a convection current.
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Energy in the Atmosphere, continued
The Greenhouse Effect and Life on Earth
•Earth’s atmosphere acts like the walls of a
greenhouse which allow solar energy to enter but
prevents thermal energy from escaping.
•Sunlight travels through the atmosphere easily, but
heat does not.
•Gases in the atmosphere absorb heat energy coming
from Earth then radiate it back to Earth’s surface
warming the planet.
•This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Chapter 6
Section 2 Atmospheric Heating
Energy in the Atmosphere, continued
The Radiation Balance: Energy In, Energy Out
•The amount of energy Earth receives and the amount of
energy returned to space must be approximately equal.
Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming
•Some scientists think that an increase of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere may be the cause of global
warming.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Bellringer
Write a poem about moving air. The poem should
include an explanation of why air moves.
Record your response in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Objectives
• Explain the relationship between air pressure and
wind direction.
• Describe global wind patterns.
• Explain the causes of local wind patterns.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Why Air Moves
• Air Rises at the Equator and Sinks at the Poles
As the cold air sinks, it creates areas of high pressure
around the poles. This cold polar air then flows toward
the equator.
• Pressure Belts Are Found Every 30º Convection
cells are separated by pressure belts, bands of high
and low pressure.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Why Air Moves, continued
• The Coriolis Effect The apparent curving of the
path of currents due to the Earth’s rotation is called the
Coriolis effect.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Global Winds
• Polar Easterlies are the wind belts that extend from
the poles to 60° latitude in both hemispheres.
• Westerlies are the wind belts found between 30° and
60° latitude in both hemispheres.
• Trade Winds are the winds that blow from 30°
latitude almost to the equator in both hemispheres.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Global Winds, continued
• The Doldrums The trade winds of the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres meet in an area around the
equator called the doldrums.
• The Horse Latitudes At about 30° north and 30°
south latitude, sinking air creates an area of high
pressure called the horse latitudes.
• Jet Streams are narrow belts of high-speed winds
that blow in the upper troposphere and lower
stratosphere.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Local Winds
• Local winds generally move short distances and can
blow from any direction.
• Mountain and valley breezes are examples of local
winds caused by an area’s geography.
• Sea and land breezes are affected by temperature.
Chapter 6
Section 3 Global Winds and Local Winds
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Bellringer
Examine the filter mask. Make a list of three
situations in which one might wear such a mask.
Write your answers in your science journal.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Objectives
• Compare primary and secondary air pollution.
• Identify the major sources of pollution.
• Explain the effects of the ozone hole.
• List five effects of air pollution on the human body.
• Identify ways to reduce air pollution.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Primary Pollutants
• Pollutants that are put directly into the air by human
or natural activity are primary pollutants.
• Primary pollutants from human sources include
carbon monoxide, dust, smoke, and chemicals from
paint and other substances.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Secondary Pollutants
• Pollutants that form when primary pollutants react
with other primary pollutants or with naturally occurring
substances, such as water vapor, are secondary
pollutants.
• Smog is a secondary pollutant that forms when
ozone and vehicle exhaust react with sunlight, as
shown in the next slide.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Secondary Pollutants, continued
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Sources of Human-Caused Air Pollution
• Industrial Air Pollution Many industrial plants and
electric power plants burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to
produce energy. Burning some types of coal without
pollution controls can release large amounts of air
pollution.
• Indoor Air Pollution Sometimes, the air inside a
building can be more polluted than the air outside.
Sources of indoor air pollution are shown on the next
slide.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Indoor Air Pollution, continued
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Acid Precipitation
• Rain, sleet or snow that contains a high concentration
of acids is called acid precipitation.
• Acid Precipitation and Plants Acid precipitation
can cause the acidity of soil to increase. This process,
called acidification, changes the balance of a soil’s
chemistry and negatively affects plants.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Acid Precipitation, continued
• The Effects of Acid Precipitation on Forests In
some areas of the world, acid precipitation has
damaged large areas of forest.
• Acid Precipitation and Aquatic Ecosystems If
acid precipitation increases the acidity of a lake or
stream, aquatic plants, fish, and other aquatic
organisms may die.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
The Ozone Hole
• The Earth’s protective ozone layer is thinning over
the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These ozone holes
allow more UV radiation, which damages genes and
can cause skin cancer, to reach the earth’s surface.
• Cooperation to Reduce the Ozone Hole In 1987,
many nations agreed to reduce the use of CFCs, the
chemicals that cause ozone depletion. Because CFCs
remain active for 60 to 120 years, however, it will take
many years for the ozone layer to recover.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Ozone and Ozone Holes
Click below to watch the Visual Concept.
Visual Concept
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Air Pollution and Human Health
• Short-Term Effects of air pollution, such as coughing,
headaches, and eye irritation can be avoided by
staying indoors on days when the air quality is poor.
• Long-Term Effects of air pollution, such as lung
cancer, are particularly dangerous because they may
not be noticed until many years after exposure.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Cleaning up Air Pollution
• The EPA sets air quality standards to protect against
the effects of air pollution on human health as well as
on crops, vegetation, and buildings.
• Controlling Air Pollution from Industry The Clean
Air Act requires many industries to use pollutioncontrol devices.
Chapter 6
Section 4 Air Pollution
Reducing Air Pollution
• The Allowance Trading System Companies are
fined for exceeding limits and rewarded for low
emissions.
• Reducing Motor Vehicle Emissions The EPA
requires car makers to meet a certain standard for
vehicle exhaust. New technology to reduce emissions
is under development.
• People can make choices to reduce air pollution,
such as car-pooling and conserving electricity.
Chapter 6
The Atmosphere
Concept Mapping
Use the terms below to complete the concept map on
the next slide.
radiation
pressure
mesosphere
atmosphere
nitrogen
troposphere
oxygen
thermosphere
Chapter 6
The Atmosphere
Chapter 6
The Atmosphere