ESS 6.1-6.3 Atmosphere and Climate change

Atmosphere

Forms the boundary between Earth and space. It is the outer limit of the biosphere and its composition and processes support life on Earth.

Composition of the Atmosphere

78% nitrogen (N2), 21% oxygen (O2), 0.9% trace gases like argon and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Layers of the Atmosphere

• Troposphere (where most weather occurs)

• Stratosphere (ozone layer)

• Mesosphere

• Thermosphere

• Exosphere

Insolation

Refers to incoming solar radiation.

Heat Islands

Geothermal Heat

Thermal energy in the Earth’s crust.

Tectonic Regions

Areas of the Earth that are close to tectonic plate boundaries or where the plate is thin enough to allow geothermal heat to rise to the surface.

Tectonic Plate

Latitude

The position of a place on Earth relative to the equator.

Tropopause

The atmospheric boundary layer that separates the troposphere (below) from the stratosphere (above).

Tricellular Atmospheric Circulation

There are three circulation cells: Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. These cells redistribute heat and influence weather patterns.

Tricellular Model

Explains how heat is distributed from the equator to the poles.

Coriolis Effect

Causes the atmosphere to move faster at the equator than at the poles.

Prevailing Winds

Surface winds that blow (go) predominantly from a single, most frequent direction over a specific region of the Earth.

Jet Streams

Fast-flowing, narrow bands of wind high up in the atmosphere.

Atmosphere System Inputs and Outputs