Chapter 2: The atmosphere
Unit 1: Weather and climate
Gravity keeps the atmosphere in place
Atmosphere is the thin layer of gasses that
envelopes the Earth and supports life on Earth
Why is atmosphere important to
life on Earth?
• Atmosphere allow respiration by animals
• Atmosphere allows transpiration by plants
• Atmosphere regulate temperature, moderating
temperature to allow life
• Atmosphere filter out harmful ultra violet and
X-rays
• Atmosphere protects us from the onslaught of
meteorites
• All weather occur in atmosphere
Imagine an Earth without atmosphere
• Extreme temperatures – scorching day and
freezing cold nights
• No air pressure – no clouds, rain, water cycle or
winds
• No river erosion – landforms form due to
temperature differences
• Massive meteorite craters
• No plant or animal life
• Dangerous radiation levels
• Similar to conditions on the moon
Without atmosphere no life could exist on Earth
What is climatology?
Climatology is the study of the
atmosphere and the processes that takes
place in the atmosphere.
There are two different parts of climatology namely
weather and climate:
•Weather is the atmospheric conditions for a place over a short
period like a day a week or a month.
•Climate is the averages of weather conditions of a place
observed over at least 20 years. This describes what can be
expected in an area.
Climate / Weather
• General description of the • Very exact description of
atmospheric conditions of atmospheric conditions of
an area a place
• Influence human • Influence daily activities
activities like settlement, like what to wear and
farming, recreational what to do on a specific
activities day
• Influence general attire of • Change quickly
people
• Influence the building
style and material used
The characteristics of atmosphere:
• Air can move – it is called wind
• Air moves from areas of high pressure to
areas of low pressure (Coriolis force
influence the direction of wind)
• The larger the difference between high
pressures and low pressures the faster wind
will blow. Pressure gradient
• Cold air sinks and form high pressure cells
and warm air rise and forms low pressure
cells
• Atmosphere can absorb heat
• Atmosphere can be compressed
• Atmosphere has weight which is measured
with a barometer in hecto Pascal (hPa).
Normal air pressure is 1012,3 hPa
(measured at 0ºC, at sea level at
45ºlatitude)
• Air pressure is influenced by temperature
and humidity
• Air heats up if it is compressed and cools
down if it is decompressed
• Air pressure decreases with an increase in
altitude
Barometers are used to measure air
pressure in mb or hPa
Drum Barograph measured air
pressure continuously
Air pressure decreases with the
increases of altitude
Pressure differences causes winds
Descending air Ascending air
Temperature differences form high pressure
and low pressure cells in the atmosphere
Unit 2:
The
structure
and
composition Elevation
of the
atmosphere
Temperature
The composition of the atmosphere:
• Permanent gasses
• Variable gasses
• Microscopic particles
Permanent gases:
• Always occur in the same amounts in
the atmosphere:
• 78% Nitrogen
• 21% Oxygen
• 1% Argon
• Makes the atmosphere stable, allow
respiration, combustion.
Variable gasses:
• Always in the atmosphere but not
in the same amounts:
• Carbon dioxide and water vapour
• (absorb heat) Green house gasses
• Neon, helium, carbon monoxide,
sulfur dioxide etc
• Weather and temperature
regulation Cloud formation
Solid microscopic particles:
• Dust, smoke particles and salt crystals.
• Acts as condensation nuclei / hygroscopic
particles that allow condensation.
• Reflects some heat and absorb some heat.
• Allow cloud formation
• If there are a lot of these and some water
vapor in the air smog may form.
To do in your work book
• Key questions on p. 60
• Activity 1 on p. 61
• Key questions on p. 62
• Activity 2 p. 62
• Activity 3 on p. 63
– Remember to write the date, heading, page
number and activity.
– Use colour for sketches and give labels and
headings to any diagrams
