Earth’s Atmosphere HCPS地球大气 HCP.pptVIP

* * * * * * Earth’s Atmosphere How our atmosphere evolved I. The early atmosphere did not support life. It contained deadly gases such as Methane and Ammonia. There was very little Oxygen. II. Over time, gases were added to the atmosphere by volcanic eruptions, and as a result of chemical reactions due to sunlight. How our atmosphere evolved cont. III. The OZONE LAYER formed as a result of the chemical reactions. Ozone is made of three oxygen atoms bonded together. It blocks out ultraviolet radiation from the sun. IV. The formation of the ozone layer allowed MICRO-ORGANISMS such as Blue-Green Algae to appear on earth. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, so the amount of OXYGEN in the atmosphere steadily increased. How our atmosphere evolved continued… V. Stromatolites were some of the early organisms that used Photosynthesis to convert CO2 into Oxygen. They still exist today and have survived 5 mass extinctions! Today’s atmosphere Layers of the Atmosphere Basis for Layers Layers are based on TEMPERATURE CHANGE within the layer. As you move up through the troposphere, temperature decreases. As you move up through stratosphere, temperature increases. As you move up through the mesosphere, temperature decreases As you move up through the thermosphere, temperature increases. Characteristics of layers Troposphere: Contains Convection Currents created by the sun’s heat which cause most of our weather Stratosphere: Contains the Ozone Layer. prevents some ultraviolet radiation UV light from reaching Earth’s surface, also where airplanes fly. Mesosphere: Meteors burn up when they hit this layer. Thermosphere: Divided into Ionosphere and Exosphere. Satellites Radio waves travel in this layer. This is the hottest layer Thermosphere has 2 parts: Ionosphere: Lower Thermosphere. Contains electrically charged particles due to absorption of ultraviolet radiation and X-rays that are given off by the sun. Aurora Borealis can be seen in this layer.