Understanding the Atmosphere

What is going on up there??

7.E.1.1 Compare the composition and structure of Earth’s atmosphere to include: mixtures of gases and differences in temperature and pressure within

layers.

BIG question• Why are space shuttles and

airplanes built with different materials?

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IMPORTANCE

• The atmosphere affects how we live: we need it to breath, eat, and survive.

• Understanding how the atmosphere works allows us to make conscious decisions about future

ATMOSPHERE BASICS

ATMOSPHERE BASICS

TROPOSPHERE

• The lowermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere.

• Most of the weather and clouds occur in this layer.

• Temperature ranges from about 15 ºC to -45 ºC.

TROPOSPHERE

• About 11 miles (17 km) in altitude.

TROPOPAUSE• The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere

STRATOSPHERE

• The 2nd layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.

• About 10-30 miles in altitude.

STRATOSPHERE

• Aircraft travel within the lower reaches of this layer.

• Temperature

varies in this

layer greatly

because of the

Ozone layer.

OZONE LAYER• Oxygen atoms that absorb the UV light.

MESOPHERE

• The 3rd layer of the atmosphere.

• This layer is the least understood layer, too high for airplanes to reach, and too low for spacecraft to orbit.

MESOPHERE

• Known for the place where meteors burn apart.

• About 31- 62 miles in altitude.

IONOSPHERE

• Ranges from 31-300 mi in altitude.

• The International Space Station and many satellites orbit here.

THERMOSPHERE

• Outer most layer of the atmosphere.

• Located at over

300 mi in altitude.

EXOSPHERE

• The outermost limits of the atmosphere.

• This layer is on the edge of the thermosphere, straddling between our atmosphere and outer space.

• Interacts with solar wind- strong winds released by the sun.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE UP THERE?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyIVaZXDhho&index=2&list=PL4USSAYH9YiPoZ4ktHp2CimU9LJGsRLhI