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Questions and Answers
What percentage of air is found in the first 30 km of the Earth's atmosphere?
What is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
What is the role of water in heat transfer in the Earth's energy budget?
What is the term for the increase in the Earth's average temperature due to human activities?
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What is the term for the balance between the energy inputs and outputs of the Earth's energy budget?
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What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere?
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What is the normal lapse rate in the troposphere?
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What is the dominant source of atmospheric heat?
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What is the process by which parcels of air rise when heated?
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What is the layer of the atmosphere where temperatures increase to 1100°C?
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What is the process of energy transfer between two objects in contact with each other?
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What is the process by which energy is transferred when water changes state from liquid to gas or vice versa?
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What is the primary function of ozone in the upper atmosphere?
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What is the approximate concentration of ozone at altitudes between 11 and 50 kilometers?
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What is responsible for destroying ozone in the polar stratosphere?
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What is an aerosol?
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What is the term for the roughly circular zones in the polar stratosphere where ozone concentration is lower than expected?
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Study Notes
Chapter Overview
- Chapter 4 focuses on Earth's atmosphere and energy budget.
- Due date for Chapter 4: February 11th at 11:59 PM.
- Exam 1 is scheduled for February 28th.
Chapter Objectives
- Understand four characteristics of the atmosphere that support life.
- Identify four abundant atmospheric gases; emphasize the importance of nitrogen and oxygen.
- Explain interactions of solar energy with the atmosphere and Earth's surface.
- Describe the transfer of solar energy to the atmosphere.
- Discuss water's role in heat transfer processes.
- Outline characteristics of the troposphere, stratosphere, and ionosphere.
- Explain the enhanced greenhouse effect and its impact on Earth's temperature.
- Describe inputs, outputs, processes in Earth’s energy budget, and the concept of energy balance.
The Nature of Our Atmosphere
- 99% of atmospheric air is located within the first 30 km (18.6 miles) above Earth's surface.
- Atmospheric density decreases with altitude.
- Major components of the atmosphere include:
- Nitrogen (N2) - 78.08%
- Oxygen (O2) - 20.95%
- Argon (Ar) - 0.93%
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - 0.0418% (418 ppm)
Atmospheric Composition
- Variable gases include water vapor (0 to 4%), methane (0.000185%), ozone (0.000007%), and particulate matter.
- Aerosols are tiny solids or liquids in the atmosphere, including dust and pollutants.
- Ozone (O3) in the upper atmosphere protects against UV radiation; depletion primarily caused by CFCs and nitrogen oxides.
Greenhouse Effect
- The greenhouse effect is crucial for maintaining Earth's temperature but leads to increased warming when exacerbated by human activity.
Atmospheric Layers
- Troposphere: Closest layer to Earth; location of most weather; experiences temperature decrease with altitude (6.5°C/1000 meters).
- Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude.
- Other layers include the mesosphere and thermosphere, with temperatures reaching 1100°C (2000°F).
Energy Transfer Processes
- Radiation: Objects above absolute zero radiate energy; the dominant source of atmospheric heat is terrestrial radiation.
- Conduction: Energy transfer occurs between two objects in direct contact.
- Convection: Heated air expands, becomes less dense, and rises.
- Advection: Horizontal transfer of heat.
- Latent Heat Exchange: Energy transfer that happens during phase changes of matter.
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Description
This quiz covers the characteristics of the atmosphere that support life on Earth, the abundant atmospheric gases, and the interactions between solar energy and Earth's surface. Test your knowledge of the Earth's energy budget and its importance for life.
