PHYS 1130 - Introduction to Meteorology

1.2 The Origin and Composition of the Atmosphere

PHYS 1130 - Introduction to Meteorology
Chapter 1. Earth and Its Atmosphere

Reading

• Chapter 1, “Overview of Earth’s Atmosphere” pages 4-7
  • The Early Atmosphere
  • Composition of Today’s Atmosphere

Instruction

Review Questions

1. What gas is most abundant in our atmosphere?
   • After solving on your own, check the
2. What gas has the most variability in our atmosphere?
   • After solving on your own, check the
3. How did water end up in our atmosphere?
   • After solving on your own, check the

## Question 1.2.1 1. What gas is most abundant in our atmosphere? The most stable gas in our atmosphere is $$N_2$$, nitrogen gas. Because it is so stable, it isn't removed much from the atmosphere and has accumulated for millions of years. So, __nitrogen gas is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere__.

## Question 1.2.2 2. What gas has the most variability in our atmosphere? There are many gases with a lot of variability, most notably water vapor and carbon dioxide. * Water vapor varies between 0% and 4% of the total atmosphere * Carbon dioxide also varies a lot, but varies around 0.04% of the total atmosphere So, __water vapor is the gas with the most variability in our atmosphere__.

## Question 1.2.3 3. How did water end up in our atmosphere? Water vapor entered our atmosphere through the process of __outgassing__ where pockets of gas under the Earth's crust leak through vents in the crust.