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ATMOSPHERE
Objective: - To understand the structure of the atmosphere Desired Learning Outcomes:1. Study the limits of atmosphere 2. Analyze the various layers of atmosphere 3. Understand the various important constituents of atmosphere 1. Introduction. The Atmosphere is the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth. In meteorology we study whole atmosphere because any event taking place any where in the atmosphere, however small, will have repercussions elsewhere, therefore forecasters gather information from an area much wider than that of their immediate area of interest. 2. Constituents of Atmosphere. Air is a mixture of various gases and their proportion in the atmosphere is as follows:Nitrogen Oxygen Argon Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen, Ozone 78.1% 20.9% 0.9% Traces

3. Apart from these gases, there are two more important constituents of the atmosphere namely, water and solid particles. Their importance will be discussed in later chapters. 4. Limits of Atmosphere. There is no clear cut boundary between the atmosphere and space. Atmosphere slowly fades out into space at heights somewhere in between 500-1000 km. However at 300 km there are enough air molecules present to ignite an incoming meteor. It is important to note that almost half the mass of atmosphere lies below 18000 feet due to gravity of the earth. Layers of Atmosphere 5. It has been noticed that as one moves away from earth to greater heights the air exhibits different characteristics of temperature. This happens due to certain natural phenomenon occurring at different heights such as ozone formation, ionization etc. So due to these differences at different heights the whole atmosphere has been divided into different layers (Fig 2.1). These layers are discussed briefly here.

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Fig 2.1 6. Troposphere. This is the layer adjacent to earth and contains the maximum mass of atmosphere. This is the only layer which contains water vapors, so all the cloud formation takes place in this layer. Temperature decreases with height at an average rate of 1.98 degree centigrade per 1000 feet, till it reaches average value of -56.5OC. Depth of troposphere is maximum at equator (because at higher temperatures atmosphere expands) and minimum at poles (due to very less temperatures, atmosphere contracts). 7. Tropopause. At the upper limit of troposphere temperature reaches an average value of 56.5OC and then stays constant till certain height before it starts to increase again. This isothermal layer (where temp stays constant) is known as tropopause. It is a boundary between troposphere and stratosphere. 8. Stratosphere. The atmospheric layer just above the tropopause is the stratosphere. The average altitude of the top of this layer is 22 miles. Characteristics of this layer are a slight increase in temperature with increase in height and the near absence of water vapors and clouds. Occasionally a strong thunderstorm will break through the tropopause and in very rare instances an aggregate of ice crystals will 6 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED CHAPTER 2 form the "mother of pearl" cloud. In this layer temperature rises because of Ozone formation. (a) Ozone layer. Ozone saves all living beings on earth from the dangerous short wave ultra violet radiations by absorbing them and not letting them reach the earths surface. Ozone is produced in the following manner O2+U / V = O+O O2+O = O3 then O3+U/V=O2+O

Fig 2.2 9. It is a continuous process (as shown in Fig 2.2) and the SW radiations are absorbed in the process of making and breaking of ozone. In this manner the concentration of Ozone remains constant and an increase in temperature of air takes place. In troposphere there is no ozone formation because of lesser intense radiations and stronger cohesion of oxygen molecules. Above stratosphere in mesosphere oxygen becomes too diffused and an oxygen molecule after break up does not find another O2 in close vicinity to form O3. 10. Except for a substantial increase in the amount of ozone, the composition of the stratosphere is the same as that of the troposphere. Ozone is important because it absorbs most of the deadly ultra violet rays from the sun. Aircrew flying through areas of higher ozone concentration may experience irritation to eyes, nose and mouth or coughing symptoms associated with ozone sickness. 11. Mesosphere. Heat absorption stops at the end of stratosphere due to seizure of ozone formation. The temperature starts to drop again with the increase in height and this marks the beginning of mesosphere. The temperature drops to lowest value in the atmosphere i.e. 86.5OC. Strartopause is the boundary between mesosphere and stratosphere. 12. Ionosphere. Due to very low pressures in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, ionization of gases starts. This part of these two layers is known as ionosphere. These ionized atoms can reflect the long wave electromagnetic radiations back towards Earth. That is the reason that long wave radio frequencies can also be heard from the other side of the globe. 7 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED CHAPTER 2 13. Thermosphere. Here mostly the gases are found in atomic form which is so thin that they rarely collide with each other because of which they can accelerate to very high velocities. That is why the temperatures here shoot up to as high as 1500OC (Kinetic temperatures). 14. Exosphere. This is the last layer, in which atoms soar up into space for some time and then again settle back. Temperature profile 15. Fig (2.3) shows the average temperature profile in the atmosphere from sea level to the thermosphere. The temperature at the stratopause is much the same as at Mean Sea Level, while the coldest zone is found at the mesosphere.

Fig 2.3 Important Constituents of Atmosphere 14. Following are four major atmospheric constituents which play an important role in world weather. 15. Water. Water is the only substance which changes states (vapour, liquid, solid) at normal atmospheric conditions and is present in atmosphere in all three forms. It has following important functions:(a) It is responsible for all weather, e.g. rain, clouds, snow, fog, hail etc (Ch-9/10). (b) It keeps the atmosphere warm by absorbing the out going terrestrial radiations (Ch-3). 8 RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED CHAPTER 2 (c) It transports heat in atmosphere by absorbing heat during evaporation at one place and releasing it during condensation at a different place (Ch-5). 16. Solid Particles. Microscopic particles of sand, sea salt, smoke, dust, carbon etc suspended in the air play a vital role in condensation and sublimation processes (ch-5) to form a rain drop or a snow flake respectively. With out them no weather activity is possible but their abundance causes problem of poor visibility. 17. Carbon Dioxide. Just like water CO2 also absorbs out going long wave terrestrial radiations (Ch-3) thus keeping the atmosphere warm. Without CO2 & water vapors in the atmosphere the temperature of air during night will drop so low that existence of life will become questionable. Nowadays the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing continuously due to burning of fossil fuels; as a result more heat is being absorbed by the atmosphere. This is one of the major reasons that overall temperature of the world is on the rise. This phenomenon is also known as Green House Effect. 18. Oxygen. In ionosphere O2 breaks down into atomic form after absorbing high temperature short wave solar radiations. In stratosphere also, O2 forms ozone thus absorbing heat. All these processes combine to produce comparatively warm layers in the high atmosphere and also help life to sustain over the earth by saving it from deadly U/V radiation.

Questions for Study & Discussion

DLO 1 DLO 2 DLO 3 What are the important constituents of atmosphere and their role in world weather? Explain the structure of the atmosphere in terms of various layers. Till what limits is our atmosphere extended into space?

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