Layers of the atmosphere- Includes temperature and atmospheric pressure

Summary

This educational video script delves into Earth's protective atmosphere, detailing its four main layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. It explains the composition of the troposphere, where weather occurs, and the temperature changes within each layer. The script highlights the ozone layer's role in the stratosphere, protecting us from ultraviolet rays, and the thermosphere's extreme temperatures. It also touches on the ionosphere and exosphere, emphasizing the atmospheric pressure's impact on Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking freefall jump, illustrating the layers' significance in our daily lives.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Earth is enveloped by a protective atmosphere that maintains warmth and shields us from cosmic debris.
• 🏔️ The atmosphere is segmented into four main layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere, each with distinct temperature profiles.
• 🌬️ The troposphere, where we live and weather occurs, is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases like argon.
• ❄️ As altitude increases in the troposphere, the temperature decreases, known as the lapse rate, dropping about 3 degrees Fahrenheit per 1,000 feet.
• 🌡️ The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere and is notable for containing the ozone layer, which protects us from the Sun's ultraviolet rays.
• 🔥 The temperature in the stratosphere increases with altitude due to the warming effect of the ozone layer absorbing ultraviolet light.
• 🌌 Above the stratosphere lies the mesosphere, which is the coldest atmospheric layer, with temperatures dropping to around negative 90 degrees Celsius.
• 🛰️ The mesosphere plays a role in protecting Earth from space debris, as ice crystals can burn up incoming objects.
• 🌌 The thermosphere is the hottest layer, with temperatures ranging from 500 to 1500 degrees Celsius, and is home to the ionosphere and the auroras.
• 📡 The ionosphere, part of the thermosphere, contains electrically charged particles and reflects radio waves, while the exosphere is the outermost layer, extending into space with sparsely distributed gases.
• 🚀 Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, which was demonstrated by Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking freefall from the stratosphere in 2002.

Q & A

What is the primary function of Earth's atmosphere?

The primary function of Earth's atmosphere is to keep our planet warm and protect us from comets and meteors.

How many layers is the Earth's atmosphere divided into?

The Earth's atmosphere is divided into four main layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere.

What are the main components of the troposphere?

The troposphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases including argon.

Why do we not typically notice the atmospheric pressure?

We don't typically notice the atmospheric pressure because our bodies are accustomed to it, and it is a constant presence in our daily lives.

What is the lapse rate in the troposphere, and how does it affect temperature?

The lapse rate in the troposphere is the rate at which temperature drops as you go upward, which is about three degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet in elevation.

Where is the ozone layer located, and what does it protect us from?

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere and protects us from ultraviolet light rays given off from the Sun.

What is unique about the temperature profile in the stratosphere?

In the stratosphere, the temperature actually gets warmer as you get higher, due to the absorption of ultraviolet rays by the ozone layer.

How does the mesosphere protect the Earth from space junk?

The mesosphere protects the Earth from space junk because ice crystals in this layer burn up the space junk as it moves through.

What is the temperature range in the thermosphere?

The temperature in the thermosphere can range between 500 and 1500 degrees Celsius.

What are the two additional layers of the atmosphere mentioned in the script?

The two additional layers of the atmosphere mentioned are the ionosphere, which is full of electrically charged atoms and is home to the northern and southern lights, and the exosphere, which is the outermost layer and stretches almost 10,000 kilometers into space.

How does atmospheric pressure change with elevation?

As you move from the troposphere to the thermosphere, or in other words, as you gain elevation, the atmospheric pressure decreases. Conversely, as you go down in elevation, the atmospheric pressure increases.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Earth's Protective Atmosphere

This paragraph introduces the Earth's atmosphere, emphasizing its role in maintaining warmth and protecting the planet from celestial bodies like comets and meteors. It outlines the four main layers of the atmosphere: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere, each distinguished by changes in air temperature. The troposphere, where we live and weather occurs, is primarily composed of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and trace gases like argon. The temperature in this layer decreases with altitude, a phenomenon known as the lapse rate, dropping approximately 3 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation. The paragraph provides a real-world example comparing the average high temperatures of Augusta and Blairsville, illustrating the impact of elevation on temperature. The troposphere extends approximately 10 kilometers from the ground, with temperatures dropping to around -50 degrees Celsius at its upper limit, transitioning into the stratosphere. This layer is notable for containing the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun. As one ascends through the stratosphere, temperatures increase due to the warming effect of the ozone layer absorbing UV rays. The stratosphere extends up to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

Keywords

💡Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth, which plays a critical role in maintaining life and protecting the planet from harmful solar radiation. In the video, the atmosphere is described as protective, highlighting its importance in shielding Earth from comets and meteors. It is also mentioned that the atmosphere can be divided into distinct layers, each with unique characteristics and functions.

💡Troposphere

The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs and where we live. It is composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases. The video explains that the troposphere has a significant impact on our daily lives, as it is responsible for the atmospheric pressure we experience. It also mentions the lapse rate, where temperature drops as elevation increases, as seen in the temperature differences between Augusta and Blairsville.

💡Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, located above the troposphere. It is characterized by an increase in temperature with altitude, which is contrary to the troposphere. The video emphasizes the role of the ozone layer within the stratosphere, which protects us from the Sun's ultraviolet rays. This layer is also where temperatures can rise to zero degrees Celsius at its top.

💡Mesosphere

The mesosphere is the third atmospheric layer, known for being the coldest layer with temperatures dropping as low as negative 90 degrees Celsius. The video mentions that this layer protects the Earth from space junk, as the ice crystals in this layer can burn up meteoroids. It extends to about 80 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

💡Thermosphere

The thermosphere is the fourth layer discussed in the video, and it is the hottest layer with temperatures ranging from 500 to 1500 degrees Celsius. It is home to the ionosphere, which contains electrically charged atoms and is responsible for the northern and southern lights. The thermosphere also reflects radio waves, which is crucial for communication.

💡Ionosphere

The ionosphere is a region of the upper atmosphere that is mentioned as part of the thermosphere. It is filled with electrically charged atoms and is responsible for the auroras, as well as reflecting radio waves back to Earth. This layer plays a significant role in long-distance radio communication.

💡Exosphere

The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, stretching almost 10,000 kilometers into space. It is composed of helium and heavier molecules like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, but these molecules are spread very far apart. The video notes that the exosphere is also the home to satellites.

💡Lapse Rate

The lapse rate refers to the decrease in temperature with an increase in altitude in the troposphere. The video provides a specific example of this phenomenon, stating that the temperature drops three degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation. This concept is crucial for understanding weather patterns and climate differences at various elevations.

💡Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air above a given point. The video explains that as one ascends through the troposphere, atmospheric pressure decreases, which is a fundamental concept in meteorology and affects weather phenomena and the ability of aircraft to fly.

💡Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone molecules. It is crucial for life on Earth as it absorbs the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. The video highlights the protective role of the ozone layer and how the stratosphere's temperature increases due to the heat absorbed by the ozone layer.

💡Space Junk

Space junk refers to the debris of man-made objects orbiting Earth. The video mentions that the mesosphere protects the Earth from space junk, as the ice crystals in this layer can burn up meteoroids and other debris as they enter the Earth's atmosphere.

Highlights

The Earth is surrounded by a protective atmosphere that keeps it warm and protects it from comets and meteors.

The atmosphere is divided into four individual layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

The troposphere contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases, including argon.

Weather occurs in the troposphere, which is where we live.

Atmospheric pressure in the troposphere is significant, but often goes unnoticed.

The lapse rate in the troposphere causes a temperature drop of three degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet in elevation.

The troposphere extends from the ground up to about 10 kilometers.

Temperatures in the stratosphere get warmer with elevation due to the ozone layer absorbing ultraviolet rays.

The ozone layer in the stratosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet light rays from the Sun.

The mesosphere is the coldest layer, with temperatures as low as negative 90 degrees Celsius.

The mesosphere protects the Earth from space junk by burning up meteors due to ice crystals.

The thermosphere is the hottest layer, with temperatures ranging from 500 to 1500 degrees Celsius.

The ionosphere, above the thermosphere, contains electrically charged atoms and is home to the northern and southern lights.

The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, stretching almost 10,000 kilometers into space.

Atmospheric pressure decreases with elevation from the troposphere to the thermosphere.

Felix Baumgartner's 2002 freefall parachute jump from the stratosphere broke the sound barrier due to thin atmosphere and low friction.

Moomoomath provides daily math and science videos, including information about atmospheric layers.

Transcripts

the earth is surrounded by a protective

atmosphere it keeps our earth warm and

protects us from comets and meteors this

atmosphere can be divided into four

individuals layers separated by changes

in air temperatures these layers are the

troposphere the stratosphere the

mesosphere and the thermosphere welcome

to moomoomath and science and the layers

of the atmosphere along with the

temperature and atmospheric pressure the

troposphere is composed of 78% nitrogen

21% oxygen and 1% other gases including

argon it is a layer where we live and

it's a layer in which weather occurs the

atmosphere in the troposphere presses

down with a great deal of pressure each

day but many times we don't even notice

this in fact this coat can is crushed by

our atmosphere as you go upward in the

troposphere the temperature drops this

is called the lapse rate and the

temperature drops three degrees

Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet in

elevation for example in my state

Augusta with an elevation of 136 feet

has an average high temperature of 77

degrees and Blairsville is over 3,000

feet in elevation and has an average

high temperature of 68 degrees the

troposphere extends from the ground

about 10 kilometers this is equal to 25

laps around a track at the very top of

the troposphere temperatures drop to

around negative 50 degrees Celsius this

begins our next layer called the

stratosphere the ozone layer is found in

the stratosphere the ozone layer

protects us from ultraviolet light rays

given off from the Sun and as you get

higher in the stratosphere the

temperature actually gets warmer this is

because of the ozone layer absorbs

ultraviolet rays and warms up the

stratosphere at 50 kilometres above the

earth we move to the next layer called

the mesosphere the mesosphere gets

colder as you go up in fact it is the

coldest layer you can have temperatures

as low as negative 90 degrees Celsius

this mesosphere protects the earth from

space junk because of the ice crystals

burn up the Spade space jump as it moves

and extends to about 80 kilometers high

and finally you have the thermosphere

this is very hot in fact it's the

hottest layer and you can have

temperatures between 500 and 1500

degrees Celsius at the very top two

additional layers our atmosphere our the

ionosphere which is full of

electronically electrically charged

atoms and is the home of the northern

and southern lights and it also reflects

back radio waves the exosphere is the

outermost layer of our atmosphere and

stretches almost 10,000 kilometers into

space it is composed of helium and

several heavier molecules including

nitrogen oxygen and carbon dioxide but

they're spread very far apart it is also

home to the satellite each layer is

classified according to temperature as

you gain elevation in the troposphere

the temperature actually drops the

temperatures range is from around 15

degrees Celsius to negative 45 to 50

degrees Celsius at the top the

temperature of the stratosphere actually

gets warmer with elevation and ranges

from minus 45 to 50 degrees Celsius at

the bottom to zero degrees Celsius at

the top the mesosphere is similar to the

troposphere and the temperature

decreases with elevation the temperature

ranges from zero degrees Celsius to

negative ninety degrees Celsius at the

top and finally the thermosphere

actually gets warmed with elevation the

temperature ranges from negative ninety

degrees at the bottom to over fifteen

hundred degrees at the very very top

also as you move from the troposphere to

thermosphere in other words to get

higher in elevation the atmospheric

pressure decreases so as you go up in

elevation the atmospheric pressure

decreases and as you go down in

elevation the atmospheric pressure

increases in fact in 2002 Felix

Baumgartner completed a freefall

parachute jump from the stratosphere and

during this jump he reached speeds of

over 8,800 miles an hour and even broke

the sound barrier he was able to reach

these speeds because

atmosphere was so thin that there was

very little friction to slow them down

if you'd like to know more about the

atmospheric layers this playlist will

help hennas always thanks for watching

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