THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE

THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE

THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE
THE EARTH'S
ATMOSPHERE
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

 Identify and describe the features of the 5 layers of the

atmosphere.
 Explain the basis for the division of the layers of the atmosphere.
 Discuss the composition of atmosphere.
 Relate the importance of atmosphere to humankind.
GAS COMPOSITION
of
THE ATMOSPHERE
GAS COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE
NITROGEN (N₂)
• It helps to maintain the balance of the atmosphere.
• The primary component in the formations of
ground level ozone
• It is 78% dry air
• Dilutes oxygen and prevents rapid burning of the
Earth's surface
• The nitrogen cycle is nature's way of supplying the
needed nitrogen for living things.
OXYGEN (O₂)

• It is 21% dry air.

• Used by all living things.
• Essential for respiration.
• It is necessary for combustion or burning.
ARGON (AR)

• It is 0.9% percent (by volume) dry air.

• Used in light bulbs.
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO₂)

• It is 0.03% percent (by volume) dry air.

• Plants use it to make oxygen.
• Acts as a blanket and prevents the escape of heat
into outer space.
• Burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil are
causes adding more carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere.
WATER VAPOR

• It is 0.0 to 4.0% percent (by volume).

• Essential for life processes.
• Also prevents heat loss from the earth.
TRACE GASES

• It is 0.3 % gases found only in very small amounts.

• They include neon (Ne), helium (He), krypton (Kr),
and xenon ((Xe).
GAS COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE

NITROGEN 78%
OXYGEN 21%
WATER VAPOR 4%
ARGON 0.9
TRACE GASES 0.3
CARBON DIOXIDE 0.03
LAYERS OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
 TROPOSPHERE
• “TROPOS” that means CHANGE
• This is the first and lowest
layer of Earth's atmosphere.
• It starts from the ground of
our planet and expands up to
10km up in the sky.
STRATOSPHERE
• “STRATOS” which means LAYER
• This layer goes up around 50km
above the Earth's ground.
• The temperature rises as you go
further up, and it has something to
do with the ozone layer.
 MESOSPHERE
• “MESO” which means MIDDLE
• It goes up to 85km above the surface of
our planet
• This layer of the atmosphere has the
lowest temperature, and they drop
down to -90%
 THERMOSPHERE
• “THERMO” which means HEAT
• Is located between 500 and
1000 km above the Earth's
level.
• The temperature in this layer
could go up to about 2,000°C
EXOSPHERE
• “EXO” which means OUTER
• Is the outermost layer of the
Earth's Atmosphere
• It is around 100,000 km, can
expand up to 190,000 km
above sea level.
 EXOSPHERE

THERMOSPHERE
500-1000 KM

85 KM
MESOSPHERE
100,000-190,000
KM

STRATOSPHERE
50 KM
TROPOSPHERE

10 KM
IONOSPHERE
 IONOSPHERE
• Is not a layer
• Ionized by solar radiation
• plays a major role in radio communication
• Has three main regions called the D layer, the E layer, and
the F layer
• Made up of highly energetic particles called Free
Electrons
• Lightning is said to take place in the ionosphere
 THE RADIOSONDE
Radiosonde - is a small, lightweight box equipped
with weather instruments and a radio transmitter.

Dropsonde - a radiosonde that is dropped by a

parachute from an aircraft.

Rawinsonde - special tracking equipment at the

surface used to provide a vertical profile of winds.
RADIOSONDE
 THE RADIOSONDE
Radiosonde - is a small, lightweight box equipped
with weather instruments and a radio transmitter.

Dropsonde - a radiosonde that is dropped by a

parachute from an aircraft.

Rawinsonde - special tracking equipment at the

surface used to provide a vertical profile of winds.
DROPSONDE
 THE RADIOSONDE
Radiosonde - is a small, lightweight box equipped
with weather instruments and a radio transmitter.

Dropsonde - a radiosonde that is dropped by a

parachute from an aircraft.

Rawinsonde - special tracking equipment at the

surface used to provide a vertical profile of winds.
 ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE
Temperature - the measure of the average kinetic energy of
the molecules of a substance.

Kinetic theory - shows the energy of gases to be directly

proportional to the temperature.
 ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE
Glass thermometer - a most common device used to
measure temperature.

The common temperature scales:

- Fahrenheit
- Celsius
Temperature
and the
Atmospheric
Layer
 The temperature of the Earth's atmosphere varies
with altitude; the relationship between temperature
and altitude varies between the different
atmospheric layers:
• TROPOSPHERE - 0 to 16 km, temperature decreasing with height.
• STRATOSPHERE - 16 to 50 km, temperature increasing with height
• MESOSPHERE - 50 to 80 km, temperature decreasing with height.
• THERMOSPHERE - 80 to 640, temperature increasing with height.
• EXOSPHERE - 640+, temperature is increasing with height.
 ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
• At the bottom of the atmosphere, we experience the resultant
weight of the gases above us.
• The atmosphere is deepest at the earth’s surface, so the greatest
pressure is found at the surface.
• Pressure is less at higher altitudes because there is less air
above us and the air is thinner.
• The instrument that measures atmospheric pressure is called a
barometer. There are 2 kinds of barometer: mercury barometer
and aneroid barometer.
MERCURY BAROMETER
A mercury barometer can
be used to measure
changes in atmospheric
pressure with accuracy and
relative ease.
ANEROID BAROMETER
• A metal drum that has been
partially emptied responds
to changes in air pressure
by expanding or contracting
in an aneroid barometer.
• Face points rotate in circles
as a result of a system of
levers and springs reflecting
the up-and-down movement
of the drum top.
IMPORTANCE
of
ATMOSPHERE
 Atmosphere is the whole mass of air that
surrounds the Earth

 All living things need some of the gases in air

for life support

 Atmosphere is one of the unique features on

our planet.
 Indispensable for Life of Earth
 Atmospheric gases
- Oxygen (O²)
- Carbon dioxide (CO²)
 Photosynthesis is responsible for nearly àll of
the oxygen currently found in the
atmosphere.
 Respiration animal use oxygen to convert
sugar into food energy they can use.
 Crucial Part of Water Cycle
 All weather takes place in the atmosphere,
virtually all of it in the lower atmosphere.

 Weather describes what the atmosphere is

like at a specific time and place, and may
include temperature, wind, and precipitation.
Ozone Layer Makes Life Possible
 Ozone a layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere
that prevents dangerous radiation from the Sun
from reaching the surface of the Earth.

 Ozone in the upper atmosphere absorbs high-

energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from
the Sun.
Moderates Earth's Temperature
 The atmosphere keeps Earth’s temperatures
within an acceptable range.
 Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere
so they help to moderate global temperatures.
 Important greenhouse gases include carbon
dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone
 CRITERIA 20pts 15pts 10pts 5pts

Includes most all Includes most all

information relevant information relevant to Includes some relevant
CONTENT to the topic, as well as the topic in an information. Lacking in relevant
PRESENTATION additional information organized fashion. Information was not information.
in an organized However, it is not well- well-organized.
fashion. organized.

The work done Work is done with little

exceeds all effort;quality is not
The work was done Work is done with fair
expectations and what the learner is
with good effort that effeort, but the quality
shows that the learner capable of. It is evident
QUALITY OR shows what the learner is still not what the
is proud of his/her that the work was
EFFORT is capable of. it is learner is capable of. It
work. The effort that rushed and little time
evident that time was is evident that the work
was put into this task was spent on the final
put into the output was rushed.
is the best it can be product. Work is
by the learner. incomplete.
It has an element of
creativity and style, Does not convey a
STYLE/ and is not just a list of It is clear and contains Lacks clarity of clear understanding of
MECHANICS/ facts. The output few mistakes. Good information, creativity the subject matter and
CREATIVITY conveys a clear creativity and neatness and neatness. there are many errors.
understanding of the It is not creative.
topic.