ENV200H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Ocean Current, Aurora, Solar Cycle
Document Summary
[9. 1] what is the atmosphere? (cid:173) weather = daily temperatures, wind, and precipitation that occurs in the troposphere (cid:173) climate = long-term temperatures and precipitation trends (cid:173) Four atmospheric layers that vary in temperature (and composition) due to differences in absorption of solar energy: troposphere. Air circulates in vertical and horizontal convection currents. Convection currents = circulate air, moisture, and heat around the globe. Contains 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere. Much denser because gravity holds most air molecules close to the earth"s surface. Ranges in depth from 18 km over the equator to 8 km to over the poles. Temperature decreases with increasing altitude: tropopause = temperature boundary between troposphere and stratosphere created due to sudden reversal of temperature gradient. Tropospheric air cannot continue to rise when it is cooler than the surrounding air: stratosphere (ozone layer) Contains a large amount of ozone gas.
