Atmosphere Summary

     The atmosphere is a peculiar place. It's composed of several layers-- the troposphere, stratosphere, mesophere, thermospere, and exosphere (in increasing order)-- and is composed mainly of nitrogen gas.  These many layers are defined by trends in average air temperature, which changes with pressure and radiation. Wind is also caused by air pressure, where warmer, less dense air, follows colder, denser air. Areas of high pressure like to expand into areas of low pressure. Air pressure decreases rapidly with height because gravity pulls gases closer to the Earth's surface.
     The many levels of the atmosphere all sport their own types of clouds, stratus and cumulus in the lower levels and cirrus in the highest. Clouds are defined by their shape and altitude and are composed of condensed water vapor in the form of droplets. Humidity measures the water vapor in the air and relative humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the air versus the capacity if the air to hold water vapor.
     Aerosols and pollutants also effect the atmosphere, particularly in regards to the Green House Effect, the gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere (which is mostly caused by water vapor and CO2). Although nitrogen and oxygen levels are consistent, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxide levels are rising rapidly. Carbon dioxide levels have risen 18% since 1958 alone. Ground smog, another pollutant, is mostly caused by reactants of nitrogen, VOCs, and ozone.
     Solar radiation is another important part of the weather and atmosphere. Albedo describes the amount of solar radiation reflected by objects and absorption describes the amount of solar radiation being absorbed by surfaces. The average albedo of Earth's surfaces is 31%. Some surfaces, usually modified by man, absorb more solar radiation than usual, emitting it in large frequencies in the evening, this is known as the Urban Heat Island Effect.

Aerosols?

     Aerosols can have a huge impact on both climate and climate change. Aerosols are often thought to be limited to aerosol spray cans or their dispersion, but the term is much broader. Aerosols are any particles suspended in the air; this can encompass clouds, sand, smoke, and many other particles both harmful and harmless. Aerosols in the atmosphere are the result of any number of activities, both natural and influenced by man, such as the stirring of soil dust, the evaporation of sea salt, or direct emissions from vehicles such as cars.

     Aerosols can greatly impact the world we live in, even affecting such trivial things as local weather and health. Because of their position in the atmosphere, aersols have two major purposes. One of these is the deflection of a portion of sunlight which, like ozone, helps to protect the Earth from its own form of overexposure. The other is ozone depletion, a complicated process in which aerosols form a type of cloud that breaks down ozone in colder temperatures. Aerosols can also have a significant influence on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases because of accidental breathing in of aerosol particles; major cases of this have resulted in wide-spread suffering such as in the London Smog Disaster.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosols

http://aerosol.ees.ufl.edu/atmos_aerosol/section01.html

On Ozone

     Ozone is an important aspect of Earth's atmosphere. It is created through the binding three oxygen atoms and is vastly unstable. Most ozone (about 90%) occurs in the stratosphere, 8 to 50 km above Earth where the unstable compound absorbs most of the UV rays from the Sun, shielding the Earth and her life forms and, in consequence, making life on Earth possible.
     Ozone found below the stratosphere is called surface ozone. Ozone near the surface reacts strongly with organic matter, which can be potentially harmful to humans, plants, animals, and other objects. Surface ozone is largely man-made and is affected by machines (which generally produce high levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, a compound released in the air when something is heated and compunds in the air, respectively). This can be harmful to breathe both in lower and higher concentrations, particularly in regard to one’s lungs or developing/injured lungs. It manifests in symptoms such as asthma.
     Because Ozone impacts our world so significantly, it's important that we ultilize our ability to study it. Understanding our O^3 footprint and how it affects the world we live in today can help us to understand ways we can change our living habits (or should have changed).

Sites used for gathering information (third link is a powerpoint from NASA):

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone
• http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/basics.htm
• http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmynasadata.larc.nasa.gov%2Fdocs%2FL10_ozone.ppt&ei=_Il1UInxLKvG0AGTvIHwCA&usg=AFQjCNGKZTjZowrT8aiz97djq686K5vLZg

On Working in Groups,

While working in groups this past project, there were several positive and negative aspects to both its duration and final product. The group provided a more balanced approach to teamwork (wherein we were able to divide up tasks), collect information more effectively (again because of that division), and discuss any information that may have appeared obsene or illogical. There were also, however, many negative aspects to this combination. All of our group members (including myself) was absent for at least half of the project and it was difficuilt to correctly produce data that was reflective of any in-group analysis. We also had issues completeing our projects in time, and our group was almost constantly confused.

Procedure for determining forest worth,

• In order to collect data for this project, we first sectioned off a section of forest 100 squared meters.
• We then labeled 
• and determined species (using the Autobon Field Guide to Trees) 
• and circumference of trees (in inches) within the selected area. 
• We distanced ourselves 66 feet from each of three trees and used a clinometer to determine the height of each tree in feet. 
• We then used these calculations to finish the form shown on the next page. 

The use of the scientific method outside of science,

     When purchasing a camera, I used the scientific method in such ways:

• Problem- I vlog, so a semi-good quality camera  was needed in order to record better videos
• Research- In order to chose a good camera within my budget, I committed to a lot of research. I researched cameras to find ones that were of the quality and features I wanted and then watched videos recorded by respectable cameras to determine their quality.
• Form a hypothesis- I narrowed my results down and postulated a reasonable budget based on my findings.
• Experiment- I went to various stores that carried the camera and played with them to determine the one best suited to my needs. I also watched more reviews on those that I was considering.  
• Collect and analyze results- I found various websites that sold the cameras I was considering and surfed around to look at various prices. After such, I revisited my research and the store to make a final decision.
• Conclusion- I final decided on a camera and bought it. After receiving it, I was able to make decisions on what I wanted in my next camera.
• Communicate your results- Because vlogging is such a communicative art form, it was easy to share my discoveries with my audience and record them for my future self.

Also, cows.

"Make a blog post."

Hi! My name is Caressa! I enjoy literature and math, along with a plethora of similar things. I ran a professional book blog for a year. Yay!