SOL 6.7 The Atmosphere

SOL 6.7 The Atmosphere Grade 6 Science Middle Home

SOL 6.7 Earth's Atmosphere (new 2018 standards)
The student will investigate and understand the properties of air and the structure and dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere. Key concepts include air as a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds the atmosphere has physical characteristics; properties of the atmosphere change with altitude; there is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions; atmospheric measures are used to predict weather conditions; and weather maps give basic information about fronts, systems, and weather measurements. Central Idea: The Earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic system that changes in response to inputs and outflows of energy and matter. Earth's Atmosphere Earth’s atmosphere is comprised of interacting and interdependent elements that are subject to change in response to inputs and outflows of energy and matter. Air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds. These include nitrogen, oxygen, water, argon and carbon dioxide. Nitrogen makes up the largest proportion of air. The atmosphere is made up of layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere) that have distinct characteristics. Naturally occurring ozone is also found in the atmosphere and helps to shield Earth from ultraviolet radiation. Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere (the lowest layer). Virtually all weather takes place there. The atmosphere is dynamic because of the number of factors that affect it, such as pressure and temperature, which change with altitude and latitude. Air exerts pressure. Air pressure decreases as altitude increases. Moisture in the air is called humidity. Temperature decreases as altitude increases in the lowest layer of the atmosphere. Weather Conditions Data on characteristics such as barometric pressure, temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, and dew point can be collected, analyzed, and used to predict weather. Thermal energy transfer from the sun or from other geosystems influences air movement and weather conditions. The amounts of thermal energy and water vapor in the air and the pressure of the air largely determine weather conditions . Weather Maps Models constructed based on patterns in atmospheric conditions are used to predict weather. Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere (the lowest layer). Virtually all weather takes place there. Weather maps show much useful information about descriptive air measurements, observations, and boundaries between air masses (fronts). The curved lines showing areas of equal air pressure and temperature are key features of weather maps. Weather maps are important for understanding and predicting the weather.

SOL 6.7 Earth's Atmosphere (new 2018 standards)

air as a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds
the atmosphere has physical characteristics;
properties of the atmosphere change with altitude;
there is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions;
atmospheric measures are used to predict weather conditions; and
weather maps give basic information about fronts, systems, and weather measurements.

Central Idea: The Earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic system that changes in response to inputs and outflows of energy and matter.

Earth's Atmosphere

Earth’s atmosphere is comprised of interacting and interdependent elements that are subject to change in response to inputs and outflows of energy and matter.

Air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds. These include nitrogen, oxygen, water, argon and carbon dioxide.

Nitrogen makes up the largest proportion of air.

The atmosphere is made up of layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere) that have distinct characteristics.

Naturally occurring ozone is also found in the atmosphere and helps to shield Earth from ultraviolet radiation.

Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere (the lowest layer).
Virtually all weather takes place there.

The atmosphere is dynamic because of the number of factors that affect it, such as pressure and temperature, which change with altitude and latitude.

Air exerts pressure. Air pressure decreases as altitude increases.

Moisture in the air is called humidity.

Temperature decreases as altitude increases in the lowest layer of the atmosphere.

Weather Conditions

Data on characteristics such as barometric pressure, temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, and dew point can be collected, analyzed, and used to predict weather.

Thermal energy transfer from the sun or from other geosystems influences air movement and weather conditions.

The amounts of thermal energy and water vapor in the air and the pressure of the air largely determine weather conditions .

Weather Maps

Models constructed based on patterns in atmospheric conditions are used to predict weather.

Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere (the lowest layer). Virtually all weather takes place there.

Weather maps show much useful information about descriptive air measurements, observations, and boundaries between air masses (fronts).

The curved lines showing areas of equal air pressure and temperature are key features of weather maps.

Weather maps are important for understanding and predicting the weather.