Lab 3 LAB 3-The Atmosphere, Pressure, and Winds Key Ideas Atmosphere Troposphere

Question

Lab 3 LAB 3-The Atmosphere, Pressure, and Winds Key Ideas Atmosphere Troposphere Electromagnetie spectrum Ground radiation Environmental lapse rate Normal environmental lapse rate Temperature inversion Marine influence Atmospherie pressure Wind Pressure gradient Coriolis effect Cyclones & anticyclones Discussion The Atmosphere The atmosphere consists of a zone of gas molecules that surrounds the earth. The gas molecules are held there by the earth's gravitational force, which acts to pull objects toward the center of the earth. Earth's gravitational force varies in strength with the mass of the other object. Gases dont have much mass, thus they are not pulled all that close to the center of the earth. Water, which as a liquid is denser than the atmospheric gas molecules, is held somewhat closer to the center of the earth than the gases are most of the earth's liquid water lies on the surface of the earth rather than in the air The earth's atmosphere is commonly divided into four layers. In this class we are most interested in the troposphere, which is the lowest atmospheric layer-the one that troposphere extends upwards from the surface reaching a thickness that varies between 5 and 10 miles. The troposphere consists of components of variable misture and components of constant mixture. The most abundant components of variable mixture are water vapor (gaseous water) and very small airborne solids, known as particulates. Water vapor and particulates enter the atmosphere from the surface of the earth, and the amount of each varies considerably over space and time. The most abundant components of constant mixture are the gases nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide. The amounts of the several other gases are so small that, to three decimal places, nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide make up 100 00% of the troposphere's components of constant mixture (Table 3.1) Table 3-1 78.082% 20.945% 0.934% 0.039% 100.000% nitrogen (N:) oxygen (0:) argon (Ar) arbon dioxide (CO) total

Explanation / Answer

question 1A.

Solution: First consider the total percentages of rest of the gases other than carbon dioxide.

Nitrogen (78.082) + Oxygen (20.945) + Argon (0.934) = 99.961%................... (1)

The question says if the current value of Carbon dioxide (0.039) increses 3 times i.e 3 * 0.039 = 0.117%, what will be the percentages of all four gases.

All the gases value adds upto 100%

So, N + O2 + Ar + CO2 = 100%

N + O2 + Ar + 0.117 = 100%

N + O2 + Ar = 99.883% (100 minus 0.117).................... (2)

To find the new values of 4 gases we can make up an equation such as,

Nitrogen= older atmosphere value/ Total percentage from older atmospere = x (percentage in new atmosphere) / total percentage from new atmosphere

Nitrogen= 78.082/ 99.961 = x/ 99.883 (From 1 and 2)

Nitrogen= x = 78.021%

The same way for the rest of the gases,

Oxygen= 20.945/99.961 = x/ 99.883= 20.928%

Argon= 0.934/99.961 = x/99.883= 0.933

And we already know what pecentage carbon dioxide is, so the new percentages for all four gases are as follows.

Nitrogen= 78.021

Oxygen= 20.928

Argon= 0.933

Carbon dioxide= 0.117

They all add upto 99.999%.

Question 1 B

Solution:

Because of increse in carbon dioxide, the new atmosphere consits of nitrogen 78.021, Oxygen 20.928 and Argon 0.933. Similar redistribution takes places whenever there is any change in the composition of Earths atmospere. Increase in Carbon dioxide levels causes the other gases to decrease. Even a slght changes in oxygen levels can have a drastic effect on the health of all living organisms on Earth. It can cause various oxygen deficiency diseases or respiratory diseases in humans and animals alike. Hence its very importatn to mantian that perfect equllibrium in our atmosphere, for our survival. Increase in various greenhouse gases such as CO2, methane, flourocarbon, ozone, can have hazrdous effects.

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