What are the most important components of atmospheric air?
what the place of the atmosphere is in relation to the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and pedosphere;
that Earth's atmosphere is a part of Earth and moves with it.
explain what the atmosphere is and what it consists of;
list factors that currently affect the composition of Earth's atmosphere;
conduct observations and measurements in the field, analyze the data obtained and formulate conclusions based on them;
ask questions, formulate hypotheses and suggest solutions to problems related to the geographical environment.
observe changes in the composition of atmospheric air;
observe the consequences of reducing the amount of oxygen in the air.
Atmosphere is a mixture of gases and various additives that surrounds the water and rock surface of the Earth with a thickness of 1,500‑2,000 km. The composition of dry atmospheric air is quite stable, although we know that it was different in the past. Currently, the content of carbon dioxide, methane and other gases in the atmosphere is probably increasing, and until recently the amount of ozone has been decreasing locally. Moreover, in a short period and a small space, significant variations in the contribution of carbon dioxide and various pollutants are possible.
The composition of dry atmospheric air in the lower layers of atmosphere is presented in the diagram below.
The following graphic shows detailed information about the composition of air. Familiarize yourself with the information provided.
Atmospheric air is almost never completely dry. Depending on the place, altitude, atmospheric pressure and temperature, there may be water vapour or water in liquid and solid (ice) form in it. Almost the total amount of atmospheric water occurs in the lower part of the atmosphere, up to the height of 10 km, and its content rapidly decreases with altitude. The content of water vapour is variable and at the surface it ranges from almost 0% (on average 0.5% in subarctic zones) up to approx. 4% (in the equatorial zone). People have contact almost exclusively with the lowest layer of the atmosphere - the tropospheretroposphere (except for people flying planes and space rockets very high). It is where the majority of atmospheric phenomena and the atmospheric circulation of water occur (an important stage in the circulation of water in nature).
Match the percentage composition of Earth's atmosphere components to their names.
78.08%, 0.03%, 0.93%, 20.95%
| nitrogen | |
| oxygen | |
| argon | |
| carbon dioxide |
Showing the possibility of a radical change in the composition of atmospheric air.
a candle,
a jar,
a lighter.
Light the candle. Cover it with the jar turned upside down.
Watch the flame of the candle. Pay attention to the three stages of the experiment. In the first stage, the candle, despite being covered with the jar, burns unchanged. In the second stage it fades out and more smoke appears. In the third stage – it goes out.
The candle burned for as long as oxygen was present in the jar; when oxygen ran out, the candle went out. As a result of some processes, e.g. combustion, as it was during our observation, the composition of atmospheric air in a closed space can radically change. Most of the oxygen in the jar entered a chemical reaction and was converted to carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Give a few examples of natural phenomena or human activity that affect the local increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the air. Search for the information in the Internet.
If we put a burning candle in a jar, the candle will go out after some time. What happens if we try to light a candle again, but we do not put it in a jar? Select the correct answer.
- The candle will not light up because all the oxygen in the room has been exhausted.
- The candle will light up, but soon it will go out because all the oxygen in the room will run out.
- The candle will light up and burn to the end because there is enough oxygen in the room.
Keywords
air composition, troposphere, atmosphere
Glossary
troposfera – najbliższa Ziemi i najcieńsza warstwa atmosfery; wraz ze wzrostem wysokości następuje spadek temperatury, przeciętnie o 0,6°C na 100 m, osiągając od -45°C do -70°C lub nawet -80°C w zależności od pory roku i szerokości geograficznej; górna granica troposfery nad biegunami sięga od 7 km zimą do 10 km latem, a nad równikiem od 15 km do 18 km