Chapter 17 The Atmosphere: Structure and Temperature

Pre-reading. Complete the vocabulary terms for the chapter. You may complete a section at a time or all at once. The choice is yours. Section 1: Atmosphere Characteristics 1. How does weather and climate compare and contrast? Complete a Venn diagram.

2.

The earth exhibits seasons. What is a season and how does it occur (what causes them)?

3.

Below is a diagram of the earth. Add the atmosphere to size (proportion). The atmosphere is often characterized as the Thin Blue Line. Why is this statement a good description?

4.

What things make up the atmosphere?

5.

What are the most important measurable properties of weather and climate that have to deal with the atmosphere?

6.

What is the composition of the atmosphere? Read this section and complete the foldable set of notes.

7.

What is the source of all clouds and precipitation in the atmosphere?

8.

Water vapor performs the following functions on Earth: a. Clouds and precipitation b. ___________________

9.

How are things such as pollen, dust, microscopic critters, salt, etc. moved by the wind?

10.

Life was not able to colonize land until it was protected from ultraviolet radiation. UV radiation can kill single-celled critters faster than you can say the alphabet. Why do you think we use UV radiation lights to sanitize areas? What is the most important function for us and other life forms of the ozone layer? Why is it so important?

11.

What happens to the thickness of the atmosphere as you go higher and higher (moving towards outer space)?

12.

What is pressure? How does air pressure change as you travel towards space from Earths surface?

13.

What happens to the temperature of the atmosphere as you travel towards space from Earths surface? Why is the change so funky?

14.

What are the layers of the atmosphere from the surface to space? What are the main events that occur in each? Read this section and complete the foldable set of notes.

15. 16.

Which layer of the atmosphere does most weather events occur? What is the source of most of the energy on Earth that drives most living and nonliving events?

17.

Solar energy is not evenly distributed on Earths surface. Why? Draw a model of the suns energy striking Earths surface.

18.

What causes the variations in solar heating?

19. 20.

Read this section and complete the foldable notes on Earth-Sun Relationships. Answer the Section 17.1 Assessment, questions 1, 2 4, 5, and 6.

Chapter 17 The Atmosphere: Structure and Temperature Pre-reading. Complete the vocabulary terms for the chapter. You may complete a section at a time or all at once. The choice is yours. Section 2: Heating the Atmosphere 1. How are heat and temperature related? Complete a Venn diagram.

2.

What are the three main ways that heat energy is transferred on Earth? Read this section and complete the foldable set of notes. a. _____________________________________ b. _____________________________________ c. _____________________________________

3.

Study the diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum. How is wavelength and frequency related? Which energy is the strongest and which is the weakest? Which forms of radiation are able to penetrate Earths atmosphere and reach life on Earth?

4.

What are the three results of radiation when it strikes an object? Why is this information important to understanding weather and climate? Read this section and complete the foldable set of notes. a. _____________________________________ b. _____________________________________ c. _____________________________________

5.

Answer the Section 17.2 Assessment, questions 1-6.

6.

Reading the Q&A on page 487. Explain the difference between the greenhouse effect and global warming. What is your opinion about global warming?

Section 3: Temperature Controls 1. Why do people always want the answer to: Whats the temperature outside?

2.

What factors contribute to temperature variation? Read this section and complete the foldable set of notes.

3.

What is the temperature variation on Earth? Study the map on page 493. What trends do you see in temperatures on Earth?

4.

Below is an isotherm map of the United States for July 24, 2011. What trends do you see on this date?

5. 6.

Complete the Isotherm and Isobar Lab Activity. Answer the Section 17.3 Assessment, questions 1-5.

Post-Reading. Read pages 494-95. Respond to assessment questions 1-5.

Reminders: Time to take the vocabulary quiz. Time to read the ancillary article and respond to the content. Need more practice in understanding the concepts? Time to take the chapter exam.