“The Atmosphere”
17.1
What is Atmosphere?
       Atm = “Ocean of Air”

Weather = Atm at a time

Climate = Atm over time
			  = Atm of a place
Composition of Atmosphere
•	Gases & Particles around our planet.
•	“Air” = Many Gases 
–	Nitrogen & O2 (99%)
–	CO2 (important!)
Water Vapor (H2O)
•	All Clouds & Precipitation
Atm. = 4 Layers
•	Thermosphere
•	Mesosphere
•	Stratosphere
•	Troposphere

As you go UP↑…
•	 Pressure ↓
•	“Thinner Air”
•	Temp?
–	Colder…
–	Then hotter!
–	Then Colder?!
–	Varies.
Earth Motion
•	R_______
–	Spinning on axis
–	Days
•	R________
–	Going around
–	Seasons

Solar Energy is not distributed evenly over Earth!

	Light waves hit surface at different angles!

	Earth heats unevenly.