GROUP 1

DRAW AND LABEL A TYPICAL VERTICAL TEMPERATURE PROFILE THROUGH THE LOWER 100 KM OF THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE

TEMPERATURE PROFILE OF THE ATMOSPHERE:

The atmosphere is usually

subdivided into concentric layers, according to the vertical profile of the average air temperature.

Based on Temperature Profile, the atmosphere is subdivided vertically into four zones.

TROPOSPHERE

layer where we live lowest region of atmosphere weather phenomena occurs air temperature is warmer

THICKNESS: 17.6 km @ poles 9 km @ equator

stratosphere
second major layer of the atmosphere 15 km to 50 km above the surface thinner air very little moisture and dust

Following may found: jet streams and Ozone Layer TEMPERATURE INCREASES WITH ALTITUDE

MESOSPHERE
50-80 km
higher up this layer temperature

begins to rise (thermosphere) meteors are visible in this layer

TEMPERATURE DECREASES WITH INCREASING ALTITUDE

thermosphere

extends from 80 km

up to 600 km highest temperatures in the atmosphere can be found temperature is up to 2000C

Transition zones
-Trapopause -Mesopause -Stratopause -Thermopause

STATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUN AS THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES.

The driving force behind all of our

weather on Earth is the sun. The uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun influences the formation of different air masses and stimulates ocean currents. The continuous interaction between the sun, sea and the sky governs our weather and climate.

DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF SOLAR RADIATION, SCATTERING, ABSORPTION, & REFLECTION.

SOLAR RADIATION
As solar radiation travels through

the atmosphere, it interacts with the gases and aerosols that compose the atmosphere. These interactions involve reflection, scattering, and absorption.

REFLECTION
Occurs at the interface

between two different media such as air and cloud when some of the radiation striking that interface is thrown.

Atmospheric reflection.

In this process, the solar radiation striking an atmospheric particle is redirected back to space unchanged.

scattering

Is the dispersal of radiation in all

directions up, down, and sideways. Both gas molecules and aerosols in the atmosphere scatter solar radiation but with some important differences. Scattering by molecules is wavelength dependent.

The process of atmospheric scattering causes rays of sunlight to be redirected to a new direction after hitting a particle in the atmosphere. In this illustration, we see how three particles

send light rays off into three different directions. Scattering does not change the striking light ray's wavelength or intensity

ABSORPTION
Through absorption, radiation

is converted to heat. Most absorption within the atmosphere is by oxygen, ozone, water vapor, and various aerosols.

Atmospheric absorption. In

this process, sunlight is absorbed by an atmospheric particle, transferred into heat energy, and then converted into longwave radiation emissions that come from the particle.