ATMOSPHERE LAYERS OF THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE Chemical Composition

ATMOSPHERE

LAYERS OF THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE

Chemical Composition of the Earth's Atmosphere (to 25 km)

Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get. Climate Weather The average course or conditions of the weather at a place, usually over a period of years, as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation. The state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Five major controls influence global climates • • • Latitude Ocean Currents Altitude Bodies of water Air Masses

As well, the following will affect the climate of a region • Microclimates • Urban Climates

Wind

Influences of Wind • • • Cooling summer breeze Erosion that removes landforms Deposition that creates landforms Waves in lakes and oceans …

Precipitation

Influences of Precipitation • • forced upwards by heating (convection) over mountains (orographic) the clash of air masses (frontal) flooding Erosion Destruction of crops (hail) …

Heat

Influences of Heat • the energy from the sun will also cause differential heating of the oceans resulting in the movement of currents • heat is an agent of mechanical weathering that occurs on rock surfaces causing them to break down through freeze/thaw cycle.

Destructive forces of Atmospheric Processes • • Hurricanes Tornadoes Ice Storms Drought

CBC Ice Storm Video • http: //www. cbc. ca/archives/categories/environment/extre me-weather/extreme-weather-general/bc-digs-out-fromthe-blizzard-of-96. html

Quiz • Which gas is the greatest in the lower levels of the atmosphere? a. Oxygen b. Nitrogen c. Carbon Dioxide d. Argon

Answer • b) Nitrogen - just over 78%, oxygen almost 21%

Quiz • At what atmospheric level does weather occur? a. Exosphere b. Thermosphere c. Stratosphere d. Troposphere

Answer • d) Troposphere

Quiz • Does the statement “Southern Ontario is warm and humid during the summer” describe the weather or climate?

Answer • The statement describes the climate of Southern Ontario - these are the conditions that would be expected.

Quiz • Which one of the following factors would contribute more to the creation of an urban “heat island”? a. Latitude b. Fossil Fuels c. Ocean Currents d. Air pressure

Answer • While all factors would influence the climate of an area, b) Fossil Fuels, or rather the burning of them contributes to the creation of a “heat island”.

Quiz • Precipitation occurs because air masses rise. Identify the process that will result in a rain-shadow on the leeward side of a mountain. a. Orographic b. Convectional c. Frontal d. Air pressure

Answer • a) Orographic