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    Lecture 3 ENV103

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    Farehin
    The document summarizes key aspects of Earth's atmosphere in three main sections. It first describes the composition and structure of the atmosphere, noting its layers extend over 500 km high and are composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. Second, it outlines the five main layers - troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - defining their altitude ranges and temperature profiles. Third, it distinguishes weather as short-term atmospheric conditions versus climate as long-term averages, and lists factors influencing global and local climates.

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    Lecture 3 ENV103

    Uploaded by

    Farehin
    33 views16 pages
    The document summarizes key aspects of Earth's atmosphere in three main sections. It first describes the composition and structure of the atmosphere, noting its layers extend over 500 km high and are composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. Second, it outlines the five main layers - troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - defining their altitude ranges and temperature profiles. Third, it distinguishes weather as short-term atmospheric conditions versus climate as long-term averages, and lists factors influencing global and local climates.

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    The document summarizes key aspects of Earth's atmosphere in three main sections. It first describes the composition and structure of the atmosphere, noting its layers extend over 500 km high and are composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. Second, it outlines the five main layers - troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - defining their altitude ranges and temperature profiles. Third, it distinguishes weather as short-term atmospheric conditions versus climate as long-term averages, and lists factors influencing global and local climates.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    33 views16 pages

    Lecture 3 ENV103

    Uploaded by

    Farehin
    The document summarizes key aspects of Earth's atmosphere in three main sections. It first describes the composition and structure of the atmosphere, noting its layers extend over 500 km high and are composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. Second, it outlines the five main layers - troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere - defining their altitude ranges and temperature profiles. Third, it distinguishes weather as short-term atmospheric conditions versus climate as long-term averages, and lists factors influencing global and local climates.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
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    The Earth’s Atmosphere

    Thin Gaseous envelope

    Earth's Atmosphere
    The atmosphere is
    - the vast gaseous envelope of air
    - that surrounds the Earth.
     Its boundaries are not easily defined.
     The atmosphere contains a complex system of gases and
    suspended particles.
    It reaches over 560 km (348 miles) from the surface of the Earth,
    so we are only able to see what occurs fairly close to the ground.
    99% of atmospheric gases, including water vapor, extend only
    30 kilometer (km) above earth's surface.
     Most of our weather, however, occurs within the first 10 to 15
    km.
    Nearly 150 million kilometers separate the sun and earth, yet
    solar radiation drives earth's weather.
    Composition of Atmosphere
    Nitrogen - 78%
    Oxygen - 21%
    Water Vapor – 0 to 4%
    Carbon Dioxide - 0 .037%
    Other gases make up the rest

    Lapse Rate
    The rate at which air temperature decreases with height.
    The standard (average) lapse rate in the lower
    atmosphere is about 6.5°C per 1 km or 3.6°F per 1000 ft.
    • Five distinct layers have been identified using
    • thermal characteristics (temperature changes),
    • chemical composition,
    • movement &
    • density.

    • The Earth's atmosphere extends from ground surface to


    the edge of interplanetary space. There are basically 5
    (five) atmospheric layers.
    • Troposphere
    • Stratosphere
    • Mesosphere
    • Thermosphere
    • Exosphere
    Atmospheric Layers
    Troposphere:
    The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends
    8 to 14.5 kilometers high (5 to 9 miles). This part of the
    atmosphere is the most dense. As you climb higher in this
    layer, the temperature drops from about 17 to -52 degrees
    Celsius. Almost all weather is in this region. The
    boundary that divides the troposphere from the
    stratosphere is called the "tropopause", located at an
    altitude of around 5 miles in the winter, to around 8
    miles high in the summer, and as high as 11 or 12 miles
    in the tropics. The tropopause and the troposphere are
    known as the lower atmosphere.
    Stratosphere:
    The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends
    to 50 kilometers (31 miles) high. Compared to the troposphere,
    this part of the atmosphere is dry and less dense. The
    temperature in this region increases gradually to -3 degrees
    Celsius, due to the absorbtion of ultraviolet radiation. The ozone
    layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation,
    is in this layer. Ninety-nine percent of "air" is located in the
    troposphere and stratosphere. The stratopause separates the
    stratosphere from the next layer.

    Mesosphere:
    The mesosphere starts just above the stratosphere and extends
    to 85 kilometers (53 miles) high. In this region, the temperature
    again falls as low as -93 degrees Celsius as you increase in
    altitude. The mesopause separates the mesosphere from the
    thermosphere.
    Thermosphere:
    The thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and
    extends to 600 kilometers (372 miles) high. The temperatures
    go up as you increase in altitude due to the Sun's energy.
    Radiation absorbing gas are present which absorb energy
    from solar radiation warming the air. Temperatures in this
    region can go as high as 1,727 degrees Celsius. Chemical
    reactions occur much faster here than on the surface of the
    Earth. This layer is known as the upper atmosphere.

    Exosphere:
    The exosphere starts at the top of the thermosphere and
    continues until it merges with interplanetary gaps, or space.
    In this region of the atmosphere, Hydrogen and Helium are
    the prime components and are only present at extremely low
    densities.
    Weather & Climate

    Weather is an area’s short term temperature, precipitation, wind speed, cloud


    cover and other physical conditions of the lower atmosphere over a short
    period of time.
    Weather is comprised of the elements of:
     a) air temperature
    b) air pressure
    c) humidity
    d) clouds
    e) precipitation
    f) visibility
    g) wind

    Climate represents long-term (e.g. 30 yr) averages of weather. Average


    temperature and average precipitation are the two main factors determining
    climate.
    Factors responsible for global and local climate

    Solar radiation reaching the area.


    Earth’s daily rotation at his own axis
    Annual rotation at his orbit (around the sun)
    Air circulation over the surface
    Global distribution of landmasses and water
    Circulation of ocean currents
    Elevation of the landmasses (altitude)
    Lightning strikes earth
    100 times every second

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