The Atmosphere

I.

Atmospheric composition

II.

99% nitrogen and oxygen

III.

Argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide water, and other gases make up 1%

IV.

The amount of water in the atmosphere varies from 0% to 4%

V.

There are solids in the atmosphere

VI.

Dust

VII.

Salt

VIII.

Ice

Important gases of atmosphere

A. Carbon dioxide and water regulate the temperature of the earth.
B. Ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Energy Transfer
Radiation transferring energy through space by way of light (visible, UV,
etc.)
A. Not all this energy stays on Earth.
B. Radiation heats

dark

objects faster.

C. Radiation heats water slower than land.

D. Hot things emit shorter wavelengths of radiation. Cooler things emit
longer waves.
E. When solar radiation hits surface of the Earth, the wavelength
becomes longer.
Conduction transferring energy by contact.
F. Warm particles collide with cooler particles.
G. This really only heats air near surface.
Convection transferring energy by flow of heated substance.
H. Warm particles have lower density and rise.
I.

Warm particles cool, which causes them to fall.

J.

This motion creates convection currents.

Temperature
Temperature is different from heat

A. Temperature measures the average speed of the particles of a

substance
B. Heat describes a transfer of energy
Temperature scales
1. Fahrenheit
2. Celsius
3. Kelvin
Dew point (condensation temp.)
1. This varies depending on water content of the air
2. When temperature reaches dew point, condensation can occur
Vertical temperature changes
1. Air cools as elevation increases
2. Dry air cools at about 10C / 1000 m
3. If you travel high enough, the air cools to the dew point. This is
called the lifted condensation level (LCL)
4. Moist air cools at about 6C / 1000 m
Pressure
Air pressure and density
A. The air near the Earths surface is denser than air further up
B. The higher you go, the lower the pressure because . . .
TemperaturePressure relationship
1. As the temperature goes , the pressure goes down.
2. This relationship is called a direct relationship.
Temperature-Density relationship
1. This relationship is called an inverse relationship.
Temperature Inversions
A. The temperature of the air increases the higher the elevation.
B. These layers act like a lid, holding in gases below.
Wind
A. Results from differences in temperature.

B. Warm air has a lower density and rises causing low pressure
C. Cooler air has a higher density and falls, causing high pressure
Relative Humidity
A. Relative humidity depends on:
B. How much moisture is in the air
C. How much moisture could be in the air
D. Note warm air holds more moisture.
E. If the relative humidity is 100% this means the atmosphere is
__________.
Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Warm, moist air rises.
C. This air expands and cools
D. The air reaches its dew point
E. Water droplets condense around condensation nuclei
F. A cloud forms
Causes for warm air to rise
1. Orographic lifting
2. Warm air encounters cold air
Atmospheric stability
1. A stable atmosphere has no clouds, or thin, layers of clouds.
2. An unstable atmosphere will have vertical development.
Thunderstorms indicate an unstable atmosphere.
Latent heat
1. Energy required to evaporate water is stored in the water vapor.
2. When the water vapor condenses this heat is released.
Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
F. Cirrus
G. Form high in atmosphere, made of ice crystals, appear as thin,
white, feathery clouds

H. Cumulus
I. Flat-based, puffy white clouds with cauliflower appearance on top.
Extends vertically several thousand ft
J. Stratus
K. Layered cloud that covers most of the sky. Forms at low altitudes.
Often gray.
L. Cirrostratus
M. High, thin clouds that give sky a milky white appearance.
N. Cirrocumulus
O. Delicate clouds forming in bands a ripples. These rare clouds form
when cirrus clouds degenerate.
P. Altostratus
Q. Clouds of intermediate height, having blue-gray appearance.
Composed of ice crystals and water.
R. Altocumulus
S. Have oval shapes, colored white with gray undersides. May produce
mild precipitation.
T. Nimbostatus
U. Often associated with steady precipitation. Can occur in thick,
continuous layers.
V. Stratocumulus
W. Can cover the sky in dark, heavy masses. Form irregular masses
close to the ground.
X. Cumulonimbus
Y. Puffy, white cloud. Towering clouds that extend upward to heights of
2-5 miles. Cause thunderstorms