The Earth and Its Atmosphere
This lecture will discuss the various components of the Earth's atmosphere including the composition, layers, weather and climate.
Assignments to complete:
1. Read the chapter
2. Complete the Questions for Thought and Problems and Exercises at the end of the chapter
3. Review the PowerPoint Slides
4. Review the information on this site by exploring each of the tabs on the left.
1. Read the chapter
2. Complete the Questions for Thought and Problems and Exercises at the end of the chapter
3. Review the PowerPoint Slides
4. Review the information on this site by exploring each of the tabs on the left.
After completing the above steps:
1. Choose 2 of the questions from the following list:
· Describe the various types of storms found in the earth's atmosphere. Can you find any correlation between storm size and storm duration? What factors might determine a storm's severity?
· What causes air pressure? Why does air pressure decrease with increasing altitude?
· Describe some of the processes that release and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Is there any evidence that suggests that these processes are not in balance?
· There is currently concern that the amount of ozone in the stratosphere may be decreasing. Why would a decrease in ozone concentration be important? Describe some of the effects that a decrease in ozone concentration might have.
· What are the principal gaseous components of the earth's atmosphere? Where do scientists believe these gases came from?
· Why is there very little water vapor above the tropopause?
· What information might you find on a surface weather map that is not readily apparent on a satellite photograph? What information could a satellite photograph provide that a surface chart could not?
· Explain briefly why it is possible to transmit AM radio waves over larger distances at night than during the day.
2. Answer these 2 questions in detail. Answers should be no less than 200 words for each question.
3. Be sure to include one outside reference for each question (your text does not count as an outside reference). If you need help with outside sources, try the resource page.
4. Put your references in APA format.
5. Submit your paper in your course room drop box
1. Choose 2 of the questions from the following list:
· Describe the various types of storms found in the earth's atmosphere. Can you find any correlation between storm size and storm duration? What factors might determine a storm's severity?
· What causes air pressure? Why does air pressure decrease with increasing altitude?
· Describe some of the processes that release and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Is there any evidence that suggests that these processes are not in balance?
· There is currently concern that the amount of ozone in the stratosphere may be decreasing. Why would a decrease in ozone concentration be important? Describe some of the effects that a decrease in ozone concentration might have.
· What are the principal gaseous components of the earth's atmosphere? Where do scientists believe these gases came from?
· Why is there very little water vapor above the tropopause?
· What information might you find on a surface weather map that is not readily apparent on a satellite photograph? What information could a satellite photograph provide that a surface chart could not?
· Explain briefly why it is possible to transmit AM radio waves over larger distances at night than during the day.
2. Answer these 2 questions in detail. Answers should be no less than 200 words for each question.
3. Be sure to include one outside reference for each question (your text does not count as an outside reference). If you need help with outside sources, try the resource page.
4. Put your references in APA format.
5. Submit your paper in your course room drop box
chapter_1_powerpoint.pptx | |
File Size: | 1644 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
To view the slides, please download the file.
What you should learn in this chapter:
- Understand the five major constituents of the atmosphere.
- Understand the layers of the atmosphere characterized by temperature and composition.
- Describe the relationship between altitude, air pressure and density.
- Describe the difference between weather and climate.
- Describe the effects of ozone in the stratosphere.