Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is composed of a different mixture of gases: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and other trace amounts of inert gases.
• The great mass of air that envelops Earth's surface and is held in place by the planet's gravitational force is called the atmosphere.
• Troposphere: 1st layer of the atmosphere.
• Stratosphere: 2nd layer of the atmosphere.
• Mesosphere: 3rd layer of the atmosphere.
• Thermosphere: 4th of the atmosphere.
• Ionosphere: 5th of the atmosphere.
• Exosphere: 6th of the atmosphere.
• tropopause: a boundary that acts as a ceiling to the weather zone
• Troposphere: The lowest layer and the layer in which we live in. It makes up approximately 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere and contains 99% of the atmosphere’s water. It is the layer where wind, clouds, and water vapor are found. Rain, snow, storms, and most clouds occur in the troposphere.
• Troposphere: Located 0-12 km. It provides most of the weather. The temperature in this region decreases as altitude increases.
• Stratosphere: The flow of air in this layer is more stable than the flow of air in the troposphere hence, you can fly an aircraft smoothly in this layer.
• Stratosphere: Located 12-50 km. The temperature in this layer increases with altitude.
• Ozone Layer: It protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the Sun. The high energy ultraviolet radiation can damage cells of living organisms and can cause sunburn and skin cancer. It is the Layer in the stratosphere that absorbs ultra-violet radiation.
• Mesosphere: It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere surrounding the Earth. This layer burns up most meteors and asteroids before they reach the Earth’s surface. Most meteoroids burn up in this layer, producing meteor trails.
• Mesosphere: Located 50-80 km. The temperature in this layer decreases with altitude.
• Thermosphere: It is comparatively closer to the sun and it absorbs a large amount of solar radiation. Orbiting around this layer is the international space station. Space shuttles also fly in this area. It extends from 80km above Earth’s surface outward into space. It has no definite outer limit.
• Thermosphere: Located above 80 km. The temperature in this layer increases tremendously as the distance from the earth becomes greater.
• Ionosphere: Ion-rich region is found within the thermosphere. Aurora displays can be seen in the Ionosphere. Ions in this layer reflect radio waves back to Earth. The aurora borealis occurs in this layer.
• Aurora: Are bands of light with different colors. They are called aurora borealis in the north and aurora australis in the south.
• Ionosphere: Located in the lower Thermosphere 80-700 km.’
• Exosphere: The temperature in this region varies from very hot to very cold. This layer is perfect for placing artificial satellites as there is little friction. They can orbit easily without being disrupted. Phone calls and television pictures are relayed by way of communication satellites that orbit Earth in this layer. Located in the upper Thermosphere, above 700 km.