The Atmosphere Earths atmosphere is a mixture of

The Atmosphere Earth’s atmosphere is a mixture of gases that distributes heat and enables life to exist on Earth

• Earth’s is a mixture of gases that distributes heat and enables life to exist on Earth

What Makes up Earth’s Atmosphere? • Gases • Nitrogen 78% • Oxygen 21% • Other gases 1% • Water vapor <1% • Solids • Dust, volcanic ash, salt, dirt, smoke • Liquids • Water

• Earth’s is a mixture of gases that distributes heat and enables life to exist on Earth Why are the gases in the atmosphere important? • Keep earth’s surface warm enough to have liquid water ***bullets #2 & 3 are continued on next slide….

• Earth’s is a mixture of gases that distributes heat and enables life to exist on Earth Why are the gases in the atmosphere important? • Protect against dangerous radiation • Prevent Earth’s surface from getting hit by meteors or chunks of rock from space

is the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface. • Air pressure is strongest at the Earth’s surface because more air is above you. • As altitude ( distance from sea level) increases, air pressure decreases

also changes as altitude increases due to the way solar energy is absorbed as it moves through the atmosphere • High % of gases that absorb solar energy= warmer • Less gases that absorb solar energy= cooler

• layer in which we live • contains almost all of the weather, carbon dioxide, water vapor, clouds, air pollution, and life-forms

• gases are layered and don’t mix • contains the ozone layer, which protects life by absorbing harmful UV radiation

middle layer • coldest layer • most meteoroids burn up here, producing meteoroid trails • temperature increases • does not feel hot • outer most part of atmosphere • no definite outer limit

layer in which we live; contains almost all of the weather, carbon dioxide, water vapor, clouds, air pollution, and life-forms gases are layered and don’t mix; contains the ozone layer; protects life by absorbing harmful UV radiation middle layer; the coldest layer; most meteoroids burn up here, producing meteoroid trails temperature increases; does not feel hot; outer most part of atmosphere; no definite outer limit

http: //www. theozonehole. com/at mosphere. htm