Meteorology & climateLesson 3 of 5 in the course Earth as a Planet

Earth’s Atmosphere: Layers, Composition, Weather, and Climate

5 flashcards · 3 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Earth is surrounded by an ocean of air held close to the planet by gravity. This lesson explores how the atmosphere is layered, what it is made of, and how it may have formed. Understanding these topics helps explain how the atmosphere protects life and how it has changed over time.

At sea level, Earth’s atmosphere exerts a pressure of about 1 bar. This means that each square centimeter of surface experiences a weight equivalent to about 1.03 kilograms pressing down on it. Humans are adapted to this pressure, and large changes in pressure can make it difficult for our bodies to function.

All flashcards

What is atmospheric pressure at sea level?
The force per unit area exerted by the air above a surface; it is about 1 bar.
How does ozone help protect life at Earth’s surface?
Ozone absorbs some of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
How do weather and climate differ?
Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions and circulation; climate describes patterns persisting over decades and centuries.
What is convection in the troposphere?
Circulation in which surface-warmed air rises and cooler air sinks, helping produce clouds and wind.
What sources are thought to have contributed to Earth’s original atmosphere?
Evidence favors gases released from Earth’s interior and volatile materials delivered by impacts.

Quiz questions

  1. What is the primary energy source that powers weather on Earth?Answer: Sunlight heating Earth’s surface.
  2. How do the atmosphere and oceans help respond to uneven heating across Earth?Answer: They transport heat from warmer regions toward cooler regions.
  3. What does the term “snowball Earth” refer to?Answer: A proposed episode when the entire ocean froze over.

Based on Astronomy 2e by Andrew Fraknoi, David Morrison, Sidney Wolff (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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