EDU C502 MODULE 9

• We live at the bottom of the ocean of air that envelops our planet
• The total mass of Earth's atmosphere is about 5 × 1018 kilograms.
• The atmosphere represents a smaller fraction of Earth than the fraction of your mass represented by the hair on your head
• Most of the atmosphere is concentrated near the surface of Earth, within about the bottom 10 kilometers where clouds form and airplanes fly
• Layers of The Earth's Atmosphere from Top to Bottom

  • Exosphere
  • Thermosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Troposphere
• Troposphere


  • Lowest and thinnest layer, 16 km at equator, 8 km at poles
  • 90% of the atmosphere's mass
  • Temperature decreases with altitude–6°C per kilometer, Top of troposphere averages –50°C
  • Where weather occurs
  • Boundary between the troposphere, and the stratosphere is called the tropopause
• Stratosphere


  • Extends from 10 km to 50 km above the ground
  • Less dense (less water vapor)
  • Temperature increases with altitude
  • Almost no weather occurrence
  • Contains high level of ozone > ozone layer
  • Upper boundary is called stratopause
• Mesosphere


  • Extends to almost 80 km high
  • Gases are less dense
  • Temperature decreases as altitude increases
  • Gases in this layer absorb very little UV radiation
• Thermosphere


  • Above the mesosphere and extends to almost 600 km high
  • Temperature increases with altitude
  • Readily absorbs solar radiation
  • Temperature can go as high as 1,500 °C
  • Reflects radio waves
• Exosphere


  • The interface between Earth and space
  • Atoms and molecules can escape to space
• Stratospheric ozone


  is a good ozone, and protects Earth from harmful UV radiation, depletion is detrimental to life
• Tropospheric ozone


  Bad ozone, a pollutant
• Weather


  is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time,.
• Climate


  How the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time
• Types of weather

  • Fair
  • Sunny
  • Windy
  • Rainy
  • Cloudy
  • Stormy
  • Foggy
• Weather disturbance


  A general term that describes any pulse of energy moving through the atmosphere,
• Types of weather disturbances

  • Tropical Cyclones
  • Storms
  • Thunderstorms
  • Tornadoes
• Storms


  • A violent disturbance in the atmosphere that involves sudden changes in air pressure, which then causes rapid air movements in the atmosphere, this intensifies wind and may bring rain
• Thunderstorms


  • A storm that brings heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, Caused by sudden rising of warm air as it is pushed upward by cold air, Characterized by the presence of lightning and thunder, gusty winds, heavy rains and sometimes, hail, Form within large and thick clouds called cumulonimbus clouds
• Tornadoes


  • The most destructive of all-weather disturbances, Rotating columns of air usually produced by severe thunderstorms, Rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped cloud that reaches down from a storm cloud to touch land,. Form in low and heavy cumulonimbus clouds, Form when a big mass of warm and humid air meets a cold and dry air mass, the cold air moves down and pushes the warm air upward, forming a tornado, Landfall for 15 min or less, and may be few hundred meters across, May have wind speeds of more than 480 kph and cause so much destruction
• Tropical Cyclones


  • Develop when there is a great difference between the temperature of warm air and cold air, A storm system characterized by a low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain, The name depends on its origin; if it occurs in the Pacific Ocean, it is called Typhoon, if in Atlantic Ocean, it is called hurricane, It is called cyclone if it occurs in Indian Ocean, and it is called willy-willy if it occurs off the coast of Australia
• Classification of Tropical Cyclone

  • Tropical depression (Between 30 and 64 kph)
  • Tropical storm (Between 65 and 118 kph)
  • Typhoon (119 to 200 kph)
  • Super typhoon (More than 200 kph)
• Public Storm Warning Signal System

  • PSWS No. 1 – tropical cyclone winds of 30-60 kph are expected within the next 36 hours
  • PSWS No. 2 – tropical cyclone winds of 61-120 kph are expected within the next 24 hours
  • PSWS No. 3 – tropical cyclone winds of 121-170 kph are expected within the next 18 hours
  • PSWS No. 4 – tropical cyclone winds of 171-220 kph are expected within the next 12 hours
  • PSWS No. 5 – tropical cyclone winds of more than 220 kph are expected within 12 hours
• The main cause of ozone depletion is CFC pollution. Radiation from the sun causes the CFCs to break down.
• Global Warming


  An increase in Earth's average surface temperature cis aused by an increase in greenhouse gases. It is also caused by greenhouse effect
• Greenhouse Effect


  The trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere
• Greenhouse gases

  • Carbon dioxide
  • Sulfur dioxide
  • Ozone
  • CFCs
  • Water vapor
• Effects of Greenhouse Gas Pollution: Global warming > ice in polar caps will begin to melt > water in the ocean expands > flooding in lowlands and coastal areas > changes in weather patterns