GG101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Ultraviolet, Covalent Bond, Tropopause
Document Summary
Examine the vertical structure of the atmosphere in terms of temperature. Review the function of some atmospheric components. Mixture of gases and suspended liquids and solids. Gaseous components are divided into non variable and variable gases: non-variable gasses: relatively stable in the atmosphere over long periods, variable gases: experience fluctuations in their temporal and spatial distribution over relatively short periods. Exists in the compound n2, where two nitrogen atoms are tightly held by a triple covalent bond. Enters chemical reactions only when abundant energy is supplied. Natural example: within the air column that immediately surrounds a lightning strike. Can also be removed from the atmosphere to produce ammonia compounds by nitrogen fixing bacteria that live in the soil zone or are associated with root structures of certain plants. Essential for organism that use it in the process for respiration. All of the oxygen present is due to the biological process of photosynthesis whereby co2 is converted into o2.
