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Ch 07 - Composition and Structure of Atmosphere11th Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Definition: The Atmosphere
What is the atmosphere, and what primary force maintains its existence around the Earth?
What is the atmosphere, and what primary force maintains its existence around the Earth?
DEFINITION
The Protective Blanket
- Definition: The atmosphere is a complex mixture of various gases that envelops the Earth on all sides.
- Maintenance: It is held in place by the Earth's gravity.
- Significance: It contains vital gases like oxygen for respiration and shields the Earth from harmful solar radiation.
Prism Memory Hook
Gravity holds the Gas.
Mass Concentration of the Atmosphere
What percentage of the atmosphere's total mass is confined within the first 32 km from the surface?
What percentage of the atmosphere's total mass is confined within the first 32 km from the surface?
FACT
Density Near the Surface
- 99% Mass: Approximately 99% of the total mass of the atmosphere is concentrated within the first 32 km of altitude.
- Reasoning: Gravity pulls gas molecules toward the center of the Earth, leading to higher density near the surface and extreme rarefaction (thinning) at higher altitudes.
Prism Memory Hook
99 in 32.
Composition: Major Atmospheric Gases
What are the percentage volumes of Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon in the dry atmosphere?
What are the percentage volumes of Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Argon in the dry atmosphere?
DATA
Atmospheric Gas Volumes
- Nitrogen: 78.08%
- Oxygen: 20.95% (approx 21%)
- Argon: 0.93%
Note: Carbon dioxide is significantly lower at roughly 0.036%.
Prism Memory Hook
NO Ar (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon)
Also in this chapter
42 more cards to study in Prism
- 4Order of Atmospheric Gases
- 5Role of Nitrogen
- 6Water Vapour Variability
- 7Significance of Oxygen
- 8Carbon Dioxide and Heat Trapping
- 9Water Vapour: The Earth's Blanket
- 10Role of Dust: Condensation Nuclei
- 11Optical Effects of Dust
- 12Spatial Concentration of Dust
- 13Vertical Distribution Limits of Gases
- 14Atmospheric Layers
- 15Troposphere Thickness
- 16Seasonal Variation of the Troposphere
- 17Significance of the Troposphere
- 18Ionosphere
- 19Normal Lapse Rate
- 20Temperature in Thermosphere
- 21Troposphere: The Convective Region
- 22Exosphere
- 23Tropopause Temperature Contrast
- 24Characteristics of the Stratosphere
- 25Stratosphere and Aviation
- 26Temperature Profile of the Stratosphere
- 27The Ozone Layer
- 28The Mesosphere
- 29Atmospheric Boundaries: The 'Pauses'
- 30Pressure and Altitude Relationship
- 31Weather vs. Climate
- 32Condensation Nuclei
- 33Elements of Weather and Climate
- 34Auroras (Borealis & Australis)
- 35Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- 36Upper Limit of Atmosphere
- 37Global Warming
- 38The Ozone Hole
- 39Net CO2 Accumulation
- 40CO2 Cycle Imbalance
- 41Troposphere: The Mixing Layer
- 42Temperature Inversion
- 43The Magnetosphere
- 44Aerosols
- 45Ionosphere vs. Thermosphere
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11th Fundamentals of Physical Geography
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