Most of the mass (about 75-80%) of the atmosphere is in the troposphere
Troposphere
Densest layer of the atmosphere containing 80% of its mass
This is because all the other layers of the atmosphere sit on top of the troposphere compressing it
Mostly a mixture of just 2 gases
Nitrogen dominates 78% of the troposphere
Stratosphere
Second layer of Earth's atmosphere
About 50 km above Earth
Air flows in a horizontal direction
No clouds in this layer
Ozone layer
Shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation
The ozone layer is found at the topmost part of the stratosphere, which is warm
Mesosphere
Provides protection to the planet and us from meteorites and comets through destruction of the same prior to their reaching the Earth's surface
Thin, high-altitude region with low pressures and strong winds and turbulence
Known for its noctilucent clouds, which are the highest clouds in the atmosphere and can be seen during the summer months
Thermosphere
The second-highest layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the mesosphere and below the exosphere
Thermosphere
The fourth layer of Earth's atmosphere
The thermosphere shields life on Earth from some of the sun's most dangerous energy, including x-rays and part of its ultraviolet rays, is crucial to life as we know it
Why is the thermosphere the hottest layer of the atmosphere?
Because the thermosphere absorbs a large amount of UV light from the sun, it has the greatest temperatures. The stuff in the thermosphere absorbs this radiation, giving it a high kinetic energy.
