Earth’s Atmosphere.pptVIP

You have learned in that the ozone in the stratosphere protects you from ultraviolet radiation. Chemistry in the Troposphere—Photochemical smog Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 In the troposphere, ozone can irritate your eyes and lungs. To the best of our knowledge, Earth is the only planet capable of supporting life as we know it. Earth’s Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry One glance at the photo of Earth helps explain why. See those wispy clouds? Topic 28 Earth’s Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 They are part of a protective envelope, the atmosphere, that blankets Earth and plays a key role in maintaining life. The atmosphere extends from Earth’s surface to hundreds of kilometers into space. A Balanced Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry A largely gaseous zone, the atmosphere contains the air we breathe, the clouds overhead, and the all-important substances that protect Earth and its inhabitants from the Sun’s most powerful radiation. Topic 28 Chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere help maintain a balance among the different atmospheric gases, but human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, can change this balance. A Balanced Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 Earth’s atmosphere has five layers that vary in composition, temperature, altitude, and pressure. A Balanced Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 Earth’s atmosphere is divided into five layers based on altitude and temperature variation. Structure of Earth’s Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 The lowest layer—the troposphere— extends from Earth’s surface to a height of approximately 15 km. Structure of Earth’s Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 Temperatures in the troposphere generally decrease with increasing altitude, reaching a minimum of –58°C at 12 km. Rain, snow, wind, and other weather phenomena occur in this layer. Structure of Earth’s Atmosphere Environmental Chemistry Topic 28 We live our entire lives with