Characteristics of the atmosphere and atmospheric heating

atmosphere

A mixture of gases, solids, and liquids that surrounds a planet or moon.

troposphere

Bottom layer in the atmosphere - where we live, breathe . It is also where all the weather occurs; densest layer

Stratosphere

This layer has thin air with little moisture, contains the ozone layer

Mesophere

coldest layer of atmosphere, between stratosphere and thermosphere in which tempurature decreases as altitude increases

Thermosphere

one of the hottest layers of the atmosphere, above mesosphere

auroras

bands of shimmering lights caused by electrically charged particles (ions) in the ionosphere

ions

electrically charged particles

What gases are in the Earth's atmosphere

Nitrogen 78%

Oxygen 21%

Other 1%

Why are some layers in the atmosphere hotter and some are colder?

Some layers have gases that absorb solar energy from the sun and that causes them to heat up.

Layers of the atmosphere in order from bottom up

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesophere, Thermosphere, Exosphere

Ozone layer

Layer within the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone; absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation

Ionosphere

Located in the Thermosphere

Radiation

energy transferred as electromagnetic waves

Thermal conduction

energy transferred as heat through a material because of direct contact (touching)

convection

thermal energy transferred by circulation of a liquid or gas due to differences in density or temperature

Greenhouse effect

the process by which gases in the atmosphere absorb thermal energy and radiate it back to Earth

global warming

Gradual warming of the earth and its atmosphere that may be caused in part by pollution and an increase in the greenhouse effect.

What would happen if Earth had no atmosphere?

The days would be hot and the nights would be cold.

Does all energy from the sun get absorbed by Earth's surfaces?

No, some energy is reflected back out into space.

When molecules heat up, what happens to their speed and spacing?

They spread apart and move faster.

Wind is formed when

air flows from areas of high pressure towards areas of low pressure

Wind is formed because of differences in

air pressure, density, or temperature. This causes convection.

Winds are named for

the direction they come from

Lakeville is in this global wind belt

Westerlies, 30-60 N latitude

Just north and south of the equator, these wind belts are found

NE and SE Trade Winds

Wind (and other fluids) can't travel in a straight line due to

the rotation of the Earth

The Effect that explains why winds (and other fluids) can't travel in a straight line

Coriolis

Local breezes are caused by

local geographic features

This is a land breeze.

This is a sea breeze.