Notes for Chapter 3

Chapter 3 focuses on the structure and composition of the atmosphere. Here are some key concepts, though they may not be in the exact order presented in the chapter:

• Vertical structure of the atmosphere:
• Typical temperature profile
• troposphere, tropopause, stratosphere, stratopause, mesosphere, thermosphere
• temperature lapse rates and inversions
• Interaction with incoming radiation
• ionosphere
• ozone layer
• Density vs. altitude and the typical pressure profile (and another version)
• Composition of the lower (<80 km) atmosphere
• stable vs. variable components
• major gases vs. trace gases
• the role of water vapor
• the role of photosynthesis and respiration
• the role of the ozone layer
• Anthropogenic effects:
• climate change
• the decline of the ozone layer
• sources and composition of atmospheric pollution
• acid precipitation