UNIT 4 Atmosphere

UNIT 4: ATMOSPHERE
Lesson 1 – Importance of the Atmosphere
Learning Targets:
 Describe the role of the atmosphere in the water cycle;

 Identify the major components of the atmosphere; and
 Explain the role of the components of the atmosphere.
- Earth’s atmosphere is a blanket of gases that surround the planet, protecting, and sustaining
life.
Atmospheric Gases are Indispensable for Life on Earth
- Nitrogen is the most abundant gas (78%). It came from volcanoes and decaying organisms.
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor (H₂O) – most abundant compounds in the atmosphere.
- Nitrogen cycle and photosynthesis – important cycles that occur in the atmosphere.
Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen is an importance component of protein that is needed by the living organisms such as
the animals, but nitrogen cannot be absorbed directly from the air. It undergoes the process of
Nitrogen cycle.
- Nitrogen-fixing bacteria - nitrogen is removed from the air by the action of a group of bacteria
that can be found in the soil and on the roots of certain plants.
- The nitrogen compounds now are taken up by the plants. When animals eat plants, nitrogen
compounds enter the animal’s body. When these organisms die, nitrogen compounds are
returned to the soil. The process of decay releases the nitrogen back to the atmosphere.
Hydrogen and Oxygen Cycle
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and Water (H₂O) – the most important compounds for living organisms.
- CO₂, H₂O, and sun’s energy - in photosynthesis, are converted into food to form C₆H₁₂O₆. O₂ is
the by product.
6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + solar energy  C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
The Role of the Atmosphere in the Water Cycle
- Hydrologic cycle/Water cycle – the movement of water.

- Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation – the steps of water cycle.
The Role of Ozone
- Ozone is a molecule composed of oxygen atoms (O₃)

- It is found in the stratosphere.
- It absorbs high energy ultraviolet radiation.
The Atmosphere Keep Earth’s Temperature Moderate
- Earth’s surface temperature stays within a narrow tolerable range with an average temperature
of 15°C.
- Without and atmosphere, the earth’s surface temperature would be about -18°C.
- Atmosphere traps some of the sun’s energy.
- Greenhouse gases also traps heats in the atmosphere.
Composition of Air
- Nitrogen and oxygen – two gases that make up the majority of the atmosphere (99%).
- Trace gases – this includes ozone, carbon dioxide, neon, and others (remaining 1%).
- Carbon dioxide – is essential for photosynthesis.
Atmospheric Layers
- The temperatures in the different layers does not just keep decreasing as you go farther up. The
temperature first decreases then increases.
- The layers of the atmosphere:
1. Troposphere 4. Thermosphere
2. Stratosphere 5. Ionosphere
3. Mesosphere 6. Exosphere
 Troposphere is the layer closest to the earth. This is where clouds form and weather events
occur. 75% of the atmosphere mass is found in the troposphere. Water vapor, CO₂, dust,
airborne pollutants, and certain life forms exist in this layer.
 Stratosphere this layer is the location of the ozone layer. It is warm and we are protected from
the damaging effect of radiation.
 Mesosphere is the coldest layer. Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere.
 Thermosphere has a low density of air molecules and has a very high temperature (220°C). The
energy coming from the sun hits the thermosphere first so the molecules on this layer have high
kinetic energy.
 Ionosphere is found within thermosphere. The sun’s ultraviolet creates charged atoms called
ions. The accumulation of ions leads to the formation of the ionosphere. Atmospheric gases in
the ionosphere absorb solar radiation. This causes atoms of gas molecules to lose electrons and
produce ions and free electrons. This is where aurora phenomenon occurs.
 Ionosphere makes it possible for you to tune in to short wave radio stations.
 Exosphere is the highest layer of the atmosphere. It extends to space. This is the thinnest layer.
It is almost as airless as outer space.
Factors Affecting Weather
- Earth’s weather in the troposphere is caused by heat from the sun and the movement of the air.
- Sun is the major source for weather events.
- Temperature, pressure, wind, water, humidity, cloudiness, and precipitation are the factors
that affects the condition of the atmosphere.
A. Temperature
- Temperature changes of the air cause the difference in atmospheric pressure.
- Air is heated in two ways: by absorption of radiation from the sun in the upper atmosphere or
conduction of heat from earth’s surface.
- The air expands and become less dense because of the heat. This forms the atmospheric
convection cells.
- Convection cells are large wind patterns in earth’s atmosphere. During convection, energy is
carried away by heated air as it rises above cooler, denser air.
B. Pressure
- Pressure differences in the atmosphere cause the movement of air worldwide.
- Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted on the earth’s surface by the weight of the
atmosphere.
- Temperature affects the rising and sinking of air. The continuous cycle in which cold air sinks
and warm air rises warms earth’s atmosphere evenly.
- The unequal heating causes convection and the pressure differences create winds. When warm
air rises from the earth’s surface, a low-pressure area is created. The warm air that rises from
the surface cools and becomes denser. This dense, cool air sinks back to the surface causing an
area of high atmospheric pressure.
C. Wind
- Wind - is the horizontal movement of air that occurs when there is a pressure difference
between two air masses.
D. Water
- Water vapor is one of the trace elements found in the atmosphere.
- Water in the atmosphere exists in all three phases – solid, liquid, and gas.
- Evaporation – is a step in the water cycle wherein liquid water changes into vapor, is greatly
affected by temperature and pressure.
- As temperature increases, the rate of temperature increases. As atmospheric pressure
increases, the rate of evaporation decreases.
Weather Patterns
- Weather processes like wind, clouds, and precipitation are all the result of uneven heating
caused by temperature differences.
- When the rate of condensation is faster than evaporation, cloud start to form.
E. Clouds
- Cloud – is a group of water droplets or ice crystals that accumulates in the atmosphere.
- Cumuliform and Stratiform- two broad categories of clouds.
- Cumuliform clouds – form as air mass rises because of convection. It includes cirrocumulus,
altocumulus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus.
- Stratiform clouds – form when a large mass of stable air gradually rises. It looks like smooth
flattened blankets. It includes cirrostratus, altostratus, stratus, and nimbostratus.
Weather Forecasting
- Meteorology – the science of weather forecasting

- Meteorologist – is a specialist who uses scientific principles to explain, understand, observe, and
forecast our weather.
- Weather Station – is a multi-device that collects data or information related to weather. It is
also referred to as weather centers.
- Thermometer, Barometer, Hygrometer, Anemometer, Wind vane, and Rain gauge – common
instruments found in weather stations. These are used for low-atmospheric conditions.
- Radiosonde, Radar, Weather Satellite, and Computers – for measuring upper atmospheric
conditions.
- Radiosonde – is a package of instruments that is carried aloft by weather balloons. This
measures temperature, dew point, and wind velocity.
- Radar – RADAR is an acronym that stands for Radio Detection ang Ranging. This is a system that
uses reflected radio waves to determine the location as well as the velocity of objects.
- Weather Satellites – is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object. It carries
instruments used to collect important information about the atmosphere. It carries instruments
called radiometers that can scan earth to form images.
Thermometers
Barometer Hygrometer
Anemometer
Wind Vane
Rain Gauge
Radiosonde
RADAR
Weather Satellites

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UNIT 4: ATMOSPHERE

Lesson 1 – Importance of the Atmosphere

 Describe the role of the atmosphere in the water cycle;

Atmospheric Gases are Indispensable for Life on Earth

Hydrogen and Oxygen Cycle

The Role of the Atmosphere in the Water Cycle

- Hydrologic cycle/Water cycle – the movement of water.

The Role of Ozone

- Ozone is a molecule composed of oxygen atoms (O₃)

- The layers of the atmosphere:

Factors Affecting Weather

- Meteorology – the science of weather forecasting

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