atmosphere

Examples of atmosphere in the following topics:

• Atmospheric Perspective

• Gauge Pressure and Atmospheric Pressure

  • In most measurements and calculations, the atmospheric pressure is considered to be constant at 1 atm or 101,325 Pa, which is the atmospheric pressure under standard conditions at sea level.
  • Atmospheric pressure is due to the force of the molecules in the atmosphere and is a case of hydrostatic pressure.
  • Depending on the altitude relative to sea level, the actual atmospheric pressure will be less at higher altitudes and more at lower altitudes as the weight of air molecules in the immediate atmosphere changes, thus changing the effective atmospheric pressure.
  • Atmospheric pressure is a measure of absolute pressure and can be affected by the temperature and air composition of the atmosphere but can generally be accurately approximated to be around standard atmospheric pressure of 101,325 Pa.
  • Gauge pressure is a relative pressure measurement which measures pressure relative to atmospheric pressure and is defined as the absolute pressure minus the atmospheric pressure.

• Atmospheric Perspective

  • Atmospheric perspective refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance.
  • Atmospheric perspective, also known as aerial perspective, refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance.
  • In addition to creating a sense of depth, atmospheric perspective can be used to express environmental conditions and time of day in a work of art.
  • Atmospheric perspective was used in Pompeian Second Style paintings, dating as early as 30 BCE.
  • One of the earliest usages of atmospheric perspective is evident in this mural from Pompeii.

• The Greenhouse Effect

  • The greenhouse effect is an elevation in surface temperatures due to atmospheric gases absorbing and re-radiating thermal energy.
  • While about 30 percent of the solar radiation directed at the Earth scatters at the outer atmosphere, the remainder is either absorbed by clouds and atmospheric gases or is transmitted to the Earth's surface.
  • The majority of gases in the atmosphere, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, cannot absorb this infrared radiation.
  • Gases known as greenhouse gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane, absorb and trap this heat as it tries to escape from the atmosphere.
  • Greenhouse gases then re-radiate this energy back to Earth, elevating atmospheric temperatures even when the surface is not being directly irradiated by the sun.

• Earth's Atmosphere

  • The Earth's atmosphere is a layer of mixed gases that is trapped near the surface due to gravitational forces.
  • The Earth's atmosphere is composed of a layer of gases that encase the planet and that are constrained by gravitational forces.
  • In the 1800s, scientists, including John Dalton, realized that the atmosphere was composed of a variety of gases.
  • In the recent past, we have damaged our ozone layer by putting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere.
  • Recall the composition and relative amounts of the various gases that make up the Earth's atmosphere and how the atmosphere helps the planet survive

• Air Pollution

  • Air pollution results from increasing levels of harmful molecules and particulates in the atmosphere.
  • Air pollution is the presence of harmful molecules or particulates, both natural and man-made, in the atmosphere.
  • The greenhouse effect: an elevation in the Earth's surface temperature due to the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by atmospheric gases.
  • Acid rain: acidic precipitation that occurs when the pollutants sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide react with water in the atmosphere.
  • Air pollutants are considered primary when the harmful particles are directly emitted into the atmosphere; secondary pollutants are products of reactions that occur following emission.

• Climate and Weather

  • Climate refers to long-term, predictable atmospheric conditions, while weather refers to atmospheric conditions during a short period of time.
  • Climate refers to the long-term, predictable atmospheric conditions of a specific area .
  • In contrast, weather refers to the conditions of the atmosphere during a short period of time.
  • Climate refers to long-term, predictable atmospheric conditions of a specific area.
  • Weather, in contrast, refers to the conditions of the atmosphere during a short period of time.

• Measurements: Gauge Pressure and the Barometer

  • Gauge pressure is the pressure of a system above atmospheric pressure.
  • Barometers are devices used to measure pressure and were initially used to measure atmospheric pressure.
  • Early barometers were used to measure atmospheric pressure through the use of hydrostatic fluids.
  • As the atmospheric pressure changes, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere on the fluid reservoir exposed to the atmosphere at the base changes, increasing as the atmospheric pressure increases and decreasing as the atmospheric pressure decreases.
  • The height of the liquid within the glass column then gives a measure of the atmospheric pressure.

• Glow of Space Shuttles

  • The glow observed as a space shuttle re-enters the atmosphere is due to excited NO2 releasing light to return to its ground state.
  • When space shuttles return from space and being to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, a glow, especially around the tail end of the shuttle, can often be observed.
  • This phenomenon has to do with the composition of the atmosphere at these altitudes and the lack of shielding from the sun.
  • The origin of the NO is unclear, although it may be collected from the atmosphere or be a byproduct of the fuel consumption from the shuttle thrusters.
  • Recall that excited-state nitrogen dioxide is responsible for the glow observed as space shuttles re-enter Earth's atmosphere.

• The Carbon Cycle

  • Carbon enters the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide via the carbon cycle and returns to organic carbon via photosynthesis.
  • The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is greatly influenced by the reservoir of carbon in the oceans.
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in water, combining with water molecules to form carbonic acid.
  • Carbon dioxide is also added to the atmosphere by the breeding and raising of livestock.
  • Carbon dioxide gas exists in the atmosphere and is dissolved in water.