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Our Atmosphere: Composition, Impact, and Importance

Learn about the Earth's atmosphere, its composition, including gases and particles, and how it influences weather and climate. Discover how the atmosphere protects life by providing oxygen and regulating temperature. Explore the significance of trace gases and pollutants in the atmosphere.

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Our Atmosphere: Composition, Impact, and Importance

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  1. The Air Around YouNotes Chapter 1.1 pgs 6-9

  2. Weather • Weather – the condition of the Earth’s atmosphere (temp, precipitation, humidity, wind, clouds) at a particular time and place. • Weather is different everywhere you go, and it is always changing! • Climate – the average conditions of the Earth’s atmosphere (temp, precipitation, humidity, wind, clouds) in an area

  3. Atmosphere • Atmosphere – the envelope of gases that surround and protect the Earth. • The atmosphere appears to be very thick from our perspective, but is actually quite thin. • Atmosphere = avg 500 km • Earth’s radius (core to surface) = avg 6,000 km

  4. Atmosphere • Composition of Atmosphere • Nitrogen (N2) – 78% • Oxygen (O2) – 21% • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – 0.038% • Plus other trace gases • gases in very small amounts (argon, neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen) • Can still have an important effect on Earth’s climate and human health! • Water vapor – water is gaseous form • Solid & liquid particles of dust, smoke, salt, and other chemicals

  5. Composition of Atmosphere • Nitrogen (N2) – important to plant growth • Oxygen (O2) – important to animal life, we need to breathe oxygen! • Ozone (O3) – a form of oxygen • Pollutant in troposphere (poisonous) • Ozone Layer in stratosphere traps heat and protects against ultraviolet solar radiation

  6. Composition of Atmosphere • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • important to plants, necessary for photosynthesis • Traps heat in atmosphere • Too much CO2 is driving rapid climate change (global warming) • Water Vapor (H2O) – water in gas form • Causes clouds and precipitation (rain, snow) • Steam – tiny liquid water drops in the air

  7. Composition of Atmosphere • Trace Gases – tiny amounts of different gases, but can still be important • Methane (0.00015%) – a powerful “greenhouse gas” that traps heat in the atmosphere • Particles – tiny solid and liquid particles of dust, smoke, salt, and other chemicals • Can be serious pollutants • Can be added to atmosphere by nature or by man

  8. Atmosphere • Our atmosphere is important because • Provides oxygen, and other necessary gases, for life to survive • Traps heat to keep us from freezing, and to keep water liquid • Protects the surface from meteors and dangerous solar radiation

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