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The Atmosphere

From the standpoint of weather, water vapour is the most important component of the air.

COMPOSITION:

Made up of invisible gases . These gases are:

a) Nitrogen 78%

b) Oxygen 21%

c) Other 1% (Argon, carbon Dioxide, water vapour, etc.)

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Properties of the atmosphere

A) Mobility

B) Compression

C) Expansion

The most important property of the atmosphere is expansion.

These in combination are the cause of almost all atmospheric weather phenomena.

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NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage

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A

B

C

D

21

62

78

1

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #1 - What percentage of nitrogen makes up the atmosphere?

MeteorologyMeteorologyProperties of the AtmosphereProperties of the Atmosphere

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That answer is correct.

Let's move on...

Regional Gliding School

The Atmosphere

From the standpoint of weather, water vapour is the mostimportant component of the air.

COMPOSITION:

Made up of invisible gases . These gases are:

a) Nitrogen 78%

b) Oxygen 21%

c) Other 1% (Argon, carbon Dioxide, water vapour, etc.)

Regional Gliding School

A

B

C

D

Mobility

Expansion

Compression

Water vapour

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #2 - What is the most important component of the atmosphere from the standpoint of weather?

MeteorologyMeteorologyProperties of the AtmosphereProperties of the Atmosphere

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I’m afraid that answer is incorrect

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Flying Scholarship Program

Flying Scholarship Program

That answer is correct.

Let's move on...

Regional Gliding School

The Atmosphere

From the standpoint of weather, water vapour is the mostimportant component of the air.

COMPOSITION:

Made up of invisible gases . These gases are:

a) Nitrogen 78%

b) Oxygen 21%

c) Other 1% (Argon, carbon Dioxide, water vapour, etc.)

Regional Gliding School

Temperature and pressure decrease with height.Lowest layer of the atmosphere.Most weather occurs here!Top layer is known as Tropopause. Here the

temperature stops dropping.

TroposphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

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Pressure still decreases but temperature continues to increase gradually to zero degrees Celsius.

Water vapour and air currents are almost non-existent.

Top layer is called Stratopause.

StratosphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

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Marked increase in temperature that reaches 10°C. This is due to presence of the ozone layer (the ozone layer absorbs radiation from the sun).

Top layer is called Mesopause.Temperature drops rapidly to -100 °C at the

Mesopause.

MesosphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

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Thermosphere is the highest layer of the atmosphere.

Temperature continues to rise in the thermosphere.The Ionosphere is located within the thermosphere

and reflects low and medium frequency waves affecting radio communications.

ThermosphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

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Layer wherein the pressure drops to little more than a vacuum

The spectacular auroras (Northern Lights) form in this region

Bottom is undefined and is located at 500 km above the surface of the earth.

ExosphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

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Very difficult to define because of density

The temperature can rise as high as 3,000 degrees Celsius at 600 kilometers

SpaceDivisions of the Atmosphere

EQUATOR

N

S

55,000’ -65,000’

25-30,000’

TROPOSPHERE

STRATOSPHERE

MESOSPHERE

THERMOSPHERE

DIVISIONS OF ATMOSPHEREDIVISIONS OF ATMOSPHEREThe divisions are primarily based on the temperature of each layer

NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage

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A

B

C

D

Troposphere

Stratosphere

Ionosphere

Exosphere

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #3 - What layer reflects low and medium frequency waves?

MeteorologyMeteorologyProperties of the AtmosphereProperties of the Atmosphere

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That answer is correct.

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Thermosphere is the highest layer of theatmosphere.

Temperature continues to rise in thethermosphere.

The Ionosphere is located within thethermosphere and reflects low and mediumfrequency waves affecting radiocommunications.

ThermosphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

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A

B

C

D

Troposphere

Stratosphere

Mesosphere

Thermosphere

Let's try a few review questions on Meteorology:

Question #4 - What layer does the temperature first increase?

MeteorologyMeteorologyProperties of the AtmosphereProperties of the Atmosphere

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Pressure still decrease but temperaturecontinues to increase gradually to zerodegrees Celsius.

Water vapour and air currents are almostnon-existent.

Top layer is called Stratopause.

StratosphereDivisions of the Atmosphere

Regional Gliding School

Congratulations!!

You have now completed the Properties of the Atmosphere lesson of the Meteorology Module. Of course, this lesson is always available to you for future reference if required.

You are now ready to move along to the next Meteorology lesson you have not completed or to any other module you wish. You can advance to the Self Test Module if you feel ready to challenge the final exam.

Good Luck!

MeteorologyMeteorologyProperties of the AtmosphereProperties of the Atmosphere