University of PNG - Earth Sciences: The Atmosphere
University of PNG - Earth Sciences: The Atmosphere
University of PNG - Earth Sciences: The Atmosphere
• Water vapour
• Argon
• Carbon dioxide
Layering in the atmosphere
The atmosphere is layered, with denser
layers at the base and less dense layers at
the top.
km TEMPERATURE
Ionosphere
80 Layers
Mesosphere
of the
atmosphere
50
Stratosphere
- 60C
10
Troposphere 30C
The layers of the atmosphere are
temperature-controlled.
km TEMPERATURE
Ionosphere
80
Mesosphere
50
Stratosphere
- 60C
10
Troposphere 30C
The ozone layer, at about 30 km above
Earth surface, filters out UV radiation
from the sun.
km TEMPERATURE
Ionosphere
80
Mesosphere
UV
50
OZONE LAYER
Stratosphere
- 60C
10
Troposphere 30C
Character of each layer
IN OUT
IN OUT
out/in =
The entrapment of heat in the troposphere and
radiation of heat back to Earth is called the
greenhouse effect
IN OUT
out/in =
Moisture content of air
• Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of
moisture in the air to the total moisture that can
be absorbed by air at that temperature
• Air with high moisture content intercepts and
re-radiates more heat energy than air with little
moisture
• Warm air can hold more moisture than cold
• Moist air is less dense than dry air
Wind
Our climate is driven by thermal
radiation from the sun.
Earth