Atmospheric Composition and Temperature
I. Definition
II. Importance
III. Composition of the Atmosphere
A. Current Variability of the Atmosphere
IV. The Layers of the Atmosphere
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere
E. Ionosphere
F. Exosphere – Outer Space
V. The Ozone Layer
VI. Temperature in the Troposphere
A. Three major influences
1. Environmental Lapse Rate
2. Heating Properties of
Water
3. Variable Insolation
B. World Air Temperature Patterns
1. Isotherms
2. Decrease Towards Poles
3. Continents Distort the
Pattern
4. Stable Equatorial Temperatures
5. Variable Mid-latitude
and Sub-Arctic Temperatures
6. Elevation
7. Ice Caps