UNIT 1: The atmosphere and the Earth's surface

The atmosphere

and the Earth’s surface

LAYERS

OF THE

ATMOSPHERE

TROPOSPHERE

STRATOSPHERE

IONOSPHERE

The atmosphere is the air that surrounds the

Earth. It is made up of gases.

The atmosphere can be divided into several layers.

GLOBAL WARMINGIt is

produced by the increase

of the greenhouse gases that

accumulate in the

atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

It is in the stratosphere. It contains a gas

called ozone and protects us from

Sun’s harmful rays.

OZONE LAYER

Air pollution is destroying the

ozone layer, which becomes thinner.

Because of this the Earth receive more

harmful rays.

There is even a hole over the Antartic!

THE WEATHER

The Earth’s weather happens

in the troposphere. Temperature,

precipitation and wind are the basic

elements of the weather.

TEMPERATURE

Temperature is an important element of weather for all living things. At low temperatures (2C) it is cold. At high temperatures (40C) it is hot.

PRECIPITATION

Precipitation happens when the water drops in a cloud get bigger and heavier, and fall to the ground. It can be in form of rain, snow or hail.

WIND

Wind is moving air. It has direction and speed. A breeze is a gentle wind. A hurricane is a very strong wind. It can pull up trees and destroy houses.

PHENOMENAWe can see different phenomena in the

troposphere.

LIGHTNINGIt is an electrical discharge.THUNDER is the noise made by lightning.

RAINBOWIt is produced when raindrops disperse sunlight.

PRECIPITATIONIt is water that falls in the form of rain, snow or hail.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE?

sunny sunny and cloudy sunny and rainy

rainy stormy snowy cloudy

windy rainbow tornado eclipse

EARTH’S SURFACE

The Earth’s surface is solid but it isn’t the same everywhere. Much of it is covered by a layer of soil.

Soil is made up of minerals, bits of rocks, water, air and the remains of plants and animals. Many living things get their nutrients from the soil.

Wind, water and living things change the Earth’s surface and cause weathering and erosion.

Wind and water in rain and snow wear down rocks and break them into smaller and smaller pieces. This is called weathering.

The pieces are moved from one area to another. This is called erosion.

Minerals are found in nature. They can exist on their own or combine with other minerals in rocks.

All minerals are different. Each mineral has its own properties. Colour Lustre Visibility of

crystals Hardness

QUARTZ

Rocks contain one or more minerals. Rocks make up the continents and the ocean floor.

What do we use minerals for?

We use gold, silver and diamonds to make jewellery.

We use copper to make electric cables and coins.

We use aluminium to

make soft drink cans and cars.

INTRODUCTION (Lightning):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm3rHONOr9o

GLOBAL WARMING:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RMD88DNaGk

WEATHERING AND EROSION:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SlcrcYstc4

VIDEOS