PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL COMPOSITION of the EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE

Fall 1997

To rank and list the major gaseous constituents found in the present earth's atmosphere according to their relative volumetric concentration.
To identify how the earth's atmospheric constituents have evolved by outlining the principal events in the evolution of the earth's atmosphere.
To explain how human activities could influence the composition of the present earth's atmosphere.
To locate the homosphere and the heterosphere and distinguish the features of each.
To identify the gases primarily responsible for the "greenhouse effect".
To discuss the importance of the following atmospheric components: carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone and dust.
To summarize the cause and possible effects of stratospheric ozone depletion.
To identify the factors which determine the capability of a planet to maintain an atmosphere.
To locate the ionosphere and describe its origin and significance.
To locate the region of maximum aurora and explain its occurrence.

Additional information can be found on the Internet through the following sites:

Last revision 7 September 1997

Produced by Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D.

Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 53706

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