Structure and composition of the atmosphere chemistry. The air has a special place among the conditions necessary for life. Trilobites, ammonites, seascorpions, dinosaurs, mastodons, sabertoothed cats, and many other life forms that depended upon the atmosphere and hydrosphere have come and gone throughout earths history. Instead of eight large planets and a sun separated by virtually empty.
If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Atmosphere composition and structure notes the domain of air on the earth geography 9 atmosphere composition and structure earth is a unique planet because the life is found only on this planet. Atmospheric composition today, the dry atmosphere consists primarily of n 2 and diatomic oxygen o 2. The atmosphere is made up of different gases, water vapour and dust particles. Summarize the structure and composition of our atmosphere. The thickness of the atmosphere is only about 2% of earths thickness earths radius 6500km. The composition and importance of earths atmosphere unit overview and assessments does air have mass and volume. Atmosphere is a multilayered envelope of different gases just like a protective blanket surrounding the earth which holds up life on earth and saves it from harmful environment of outer space. Thermosphere the thermosphere is next and the air is very thin here. Those gases that form a constant portion of the atmospheric mass. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. However, 99 % of the total mass of the atmosphere is confined to the height of 32 km from the earths surface.
Chapter 1 composition and structure of the atmosphere. The chemicalcomposition of the earth article pdf available in earth and planetary science letters 434. Jinyi yu thickness of the atmosphere most of the atmospheric mass is confined in the lowest 100 km above the sea level. Thickness of the atmosphere most of the atmospheric mass is confined in the lowest 100 km above the sea level. Nitrogen accounts for 78% of the atmosphere, oxygen 21% and argon 0. The chemical composition of the atmosphere the earths atmosphere is a complex mixture of gases. This science unit is designed to teach all about the earths atmosphere as a part of the environment science. Constituent chemical formula molecular weight 12c12 fraction by volume in dry air total mass gm total atmosphere 28. Core, mantle, and crust are divisions based on composition. The earths atmosphere is divided up into 5 major layers. Earths atmosphere the atmosphere is the thin envelope of gas molecules surrounding the earth. Learn about the composition and structure of earths atmosphere. Chapter 1 composition and structure of the atmosphere understanding weather and climate aguado and burt 12008 version atmo 0 definitions atmosphere the gases, droplets and particles surrounding the earths surface.
Our knowledge about earths primordial atmosphere comes from studying the atmospheres of other planets and the composition of stars, as well as clues from the. Therefore, the ozone layer protects life on earth from the harmful effects of solar radiation on a daily basis. Everest absorbance of heat for land and sea 12 days. It also contains small quantities of other gases, some of which are carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone, helium and hydrogen. Generally, atmosphere extends up to about 1600 km from the earths surface. The composition and importance of earths atmosphere the relationship between altitude and air pressure the air up there. The chemical composition of the atmosphere royal meteorological. The atmosphere is a mixture of different types of gases. The composition and structure of earth physical geography.
The atmospheric composition focus area consists of research on the composition of earth s atmosphere, particularly of the troposphere and stratosphere, in relation to climate forcing, atmospheric ozone and aerosols, solar effects, air quality, and surface emissions of radiatively and chemically active source gases and particulates. Earths early atmosphere apparently contained far more co 2 than todays and little or no o 2. The earths atmosphere protects and sustains the planets inhabitants by providing warmth and absorbing harmful solar rays. The atmosphere of earth is the layer of gases, commonly known as air, that surrounds the planet earth and is retained by earths gravity.
It exists today as a mixture of several gases, the composition of which within the first 25 km of the earths surface is presented in. Earth s atmosphere protects us from incoming space projectiles comets, asteroids that burn up before reaching the planet s surface, and blocks harmful short wavelength radiation from the sun. Changes in composition earths primordial atmosphere was probably similar to the gas cloud that created the sun and planets. Earth s atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 0. Readeach slide, then decide what you need to use for your notes some slides are just facts others are for the blanks. By comparison, venus has an atmosphere that is high in ammonia and other caustic gases. A standard atmosphere and average typical of a mid latitude location. It consisted of hydrogen and helium, along with methane, ammonia, and water. Attempt has been made to cover various points from different layers of atmosphere to the greenhouse effect.
The atmosphere is actually very thin compared to the size of the earth, equivalent in thickness to a piece of paper laid over a beach ball. Read this essay to learn about atmosphere, composition of atmosphere and energy balance in atmosphere. Some serves to evaporate water, either in the soil or in the leaves of plants, bringing water. Humidity varies from place to place and season to season. Units of presure are nm 2, where nnewtonforce required to accelerate a1 kg mass 1 ms 2.
Ironically, it is the view of earth from the airless vacuum of space that provides us with a view of just how thin is the veil of. Composition and development of the earths atmosphere. Could it be that life on earth not only made the atmosphere, but also regulated it keeping it at a constant composition, and at a. About 78 percent is nitrogen, and about 21 percent is oxygen. It is made up of three primary gases and other trace gases. The composition and importance of earths atmosphere. The composition of the earths atmosphere is well documented, and has been known to change with time.
Dec 31, 2015 atmosphere our planet earth is enveloped by a deep blanket of gases extending several thousands of kilometres above its surface. Composition and development of the earths atmosphere by. The atmospheric composition focus area consists of research on the composition of earths atmosphere, particularly of the troposphere and stratosphere, in relation to climate forcing, atmospheric ozone and aerosols, solar effects, air quality, and surface emissions of radiatively and chemically active source gases and particulates. Nitrogen and oxygen together make up 99 percent of the planets atmosphere. Lets take a look at the composition of the earths atmosphere. A close relation has been established between the stages of evolution of organisms and variations in the chemical composition of th e earths atmosphere.
The atmosphere of earth protects life on earth by creating pressure allowing for liquid water to exist on the earths surface, absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention greenhouse effect, and reducing temperature. Like land lithosphere and water hydrosphere, the atmosphere is an integral part of the earth. The lowest layer is the troposphere, which extends from the surface to the bottom of the stratosphere. About 80% of the mass of the atmosphere resides in the first 10 km. The earths atmosphere its origin, composition and properties. Composition and structure of the atmosphere uci ess. The atmosphere has provided for life on earth for at least the last 3. These include argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, hydrogen, and more. The earth is unique in our solar system because it has an atmosphere that can support life. Mar 19, 2015 composition and development of the earth s atmosphere by. The atmosphere everything you need to teach a unit on the layers of earth s atmosphere, types of clouds, and the composition of the atmosphere. A standard atmosphere and average typical of a mid latitude location exerts a pressure of 101,325 pa at sea level the unit adopted by the national weather service is the millibar mb 1 mb 100 pa standard sea level pressure 10. Composition of the earths atmosphere universe today.
The three major constituents of earth s atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Three quarters of the atmospheres mass resides within the troposphere, and is the layer within which the earths terrestrial weather develops. The permanent gases whose percentages do not change from day to day are nitrogen, oxygen and argon. History of earths atmosphere i earth science visionlearning. The earth s atmosphere the composition of earth s atmosphere. The atmosphere everything you need to teach a unit on the layers of earths atmosphere, types of clouds, and the composition of the atmosphere. The earths atmosphere was an extraordinary and unstable mixture of gases, yet i knew that it was constant in composition over quite long periods of time. Moist air may contain up to 7% water vapor andor aerosols microscopic particles.
As we all know very well that life could not exist without the atmosphere. The earths atmosphere contains mostly nitrogen and oxygen. Variation in the composition of earths atmosphere is also well documented 3. The rest of the gases are minor components but sometimes are very important. Composition of the earths atmosphere as a function of geologic time 3. In the hurlyburly chaos following the formation of the solar system 4. Breathe in and you can appreciate that the earths atmosphere has everything needed to support life on earth.
There are lots of other gases that are part of the atmosphere, but in much smaller amounts. Nitrogen and oxygen are the two main gases in the atmosphere and 99 percentage of the atmosphere is made up of these two gases. All of these trace gases have important effects on earth s climate. Composition and structure of the earths atmosphere. The earth s atmosphere protects and sustains the planet s inhabitants by providing warmth and absorbing harmful solar rays. The earths atmosphere extends about 6,000 miles above its surface. All of the guesswork has been removed with this no prep. The physical and chemical properties of the earths atmosphere introduction the earths atmosphere behaves as a dynamic.
Atmospheric composition focus area science mission directorate. Composition and structure of the atmosphere composition evolution vertical structure ess5 prof. But the composition of the atmosphere is more than air. Ryan beaudryintroduction to the structure and composition of earths atmosphere slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Earths modern atmosphere evolved over billions of years due to many different geologic processes. The atmosphere is also dynamic in the sense that its chemistry and physics are in. Atmospheric composition focus area science mission. Oxygen is needed by animals to breathe and carbon dioxide is used by plant in photosynthesis. The physical and chemical properties of the earths atmosphere. The lower boundary of the atmosphere is considered to lie on earth s surface, the upper boundary is the gradational transition into space. Aston suspected that the early solar system was an important time for earths atmosphere, and indeed it was.
It plays an especially important role in maintaining the temperature of the planet at a level comfortable for life in its present form. Because of the shallowness of the atmosphere, its motions over. Composition of earths atmosphere earth science quiz. Trace amounts of other gases play a critical role in the atmosphere. A 1cm 2 cross section of the earths surface supports a column weighing 1030 g. Earths early atmosphere had a different composition than the modern atmosphere. Pressure is a force per unit area exerted by the weight of air above about 1 kgcm 2 or 14.
The earths atmosphere consists of a mixture of noble gas atoms and many kinds of molecules. Composition and development of the earths atmosphere youtube. Composition of earths atmosphere flashcards quizlet. Learn about the composition and structure of earth s atmosphere.
Earths atmosphere consists of a number of layers that differ in properties such as composition, temperature and pressure. Applying our understanding of air pressure to climbing mt. In addition to containing the oxygen and carbon dioxide, which living things need to survive, the atmosphere traps the suns energy and wards off many of the dangers of space. The atmosphere is made up of mostly nitrogen 78% and oxygen 21%. Each lesson plan follows the 5e model and provides you with the exact tools to teach the concept. Two common gases, nitrogen and oxygen, make up 99% of dry air fig. Atmosphere our planet earth is enveloped by a deep blanket of gases extending several thousands of kilometres above its surface. Mar 09, 2009 breathe in and you can appreciate that the earths atmosphere has everything needed to support life on earth. Meteorology the science that studies the atmosphere and its processes. Water vapor, a particularly variable atmospheric constituent, resides almost entirely in the lower and middle troposphere. The concentration of water vapor a greenhouse gas varies significantly from around 10 ppm by volume in the coldest portions of the atmosphere to as much as 5% by volume in hot, humid air masses, and concentrations of other atmospheric gases are. Because of the shallowness of the atmosphere, its motions over large areas are primarily horizontal.
Trilobites, ammonites, seascorpions, dinosaurs, mastodons, sabertoothed cats, and many other life forms that depended upon the atmosphere and hydrosphere have come and gone throughout earths. Compared to the earths radius, the atmosphere appears to be only a very thin layer of gases. The earth s atmosphere consists of a mixture of noble gas atoms and many kinds of molecules. Includes a discussion of the ways in which atmospheric temperature and pressure are measured. Composition of the present atmosphere the atmosphere is composed of a mix of several different gases in differing amounts. Composition of the atmosphere north carolina climate office. Changes in composition earth s primordial atmosphere was probably similar to the gas cloud that created the sun and planets. The current composition of the earths atmosphere is given in table 3. Some is returned as longwave infrared radiation, heating the atmosphere as the land surface warms. Other gases like argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, hydrogen, etc. Composition and structure of the earths atmosphere clear ias. The atmosphere is concentrated at the earths surface and rapidly thins as you move upward, blending with space at roughly 100 miles above sea level. The atmosphere earths atmosphere is a thin blanket of gases and tiny particles together called air. The crust makes up less than 1 percent of earth by mass, consisting of oceanic crust and continental crust is often more felsic rock.
In addition to containing the oxygen and carbon dioxide, which living things need to survive, the atmosphere traps the sun s energy and wards off many of the dangers of space. Particles like dust, water molecules, and even pollen make up the atmosphere. This gaseous cover of the earth is known as the atmosphere. Temperatures can get extremely hot in the thermosphere. Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the composition of earths atmospheric layers including the ozone layer and greenhouse gases. Our planet earth is enveloped by a deep blanket of gases extending several thousands of kilometres above its surface. The atmosphere is concentrated at the earths surface and rapidly thins as you move upward, blending with space at about 100 miles above sea level. Second, the heat is trapped close to the planets surface by greenhouse gases. Diatomic nitrogen is a stable gas that comprises 78% of the presentday atmospheric volume table 2. Teacher background earth system research laboratory. The mantle is hot and represents about 68 percent of earths mass. Compare the composition, properties and structure of earths atmosphere to include mixtures of gases and differences in temperature and pressure within layers. It goes all the way to 10,000 km above the earths surface. The atmospheric chemistry studies the chemical composition of the natural atmosphere, the way gases, liquids, and solids in the atmosphere interact with each other and with the earths surface and associated biota, and how human activities may be changing the chemical and physical characteristics of.
540 1370 235 635 360 1267 1456 776 419 1267 1400 434 789 1175 1119 1071 510 654 1157 1473 680 979 728 231 1196 518 1330 13 131 1082 753 1155