Layers of the Atmosphere | What is Atmosphere | Animation

Summary

Earth's atmosphere is a protective layer of gases with five distinct layers. The troposphere, closest to Earth, is where weather occurs and we breathe. Above it lies the stratosphere, home to the ozone layer and weather balloons. The mesosphere, where meteors burn up, and the thermosphere, with temperatures reaching 2000ºC, are part of the middle atmosphere. The Kármán line marks the boundary for traditional aircraft. The exosphere, with few molecules, is debated as the atmosphere's edge or outer space's beginning, featuring the exobase where atmospheric conditions cease.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The Earth's atmosphere is a protective layer of gases that allows life to exist on the planet.
• 🌪️ The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where weather occurs and is the air we breathe.
• ❄️ The temperature in the troposphere decreases as altitude increases.
• 🌤️ The stratosphere is above the troposphere, containing the ozone layer and is where weather balloons are sent.
• ✈️ Commercial jets fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid tropospheric turbulence.
• 🔥 The ozone layer absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
• 🌌 The mesosphere is the layer where air is very thin and meteors typically burn up.
• 🌡️ In the mesosphere, temperatures can drop as low as -90°C.
• 🌌 The thermosphere is several hundred kilometers above Earth, with temperatures that can reach up to 2000ºC.
• 🚀 The Kármán line is considered the boundary where traditional aircraft can no longer fly effectively.
• 🌌 The exosphere has very few atmospheric molecules and is sometimes considered the beginning of outer space.
• 📍 The exobase is the lower boundary of the exosphere, where atmospheric pressure is no longer significant.

Q & A

What is Earth's atmosphere?

Earth's atmosphere is the body of air or gases that surrounds the planet, protecting it and enabling life. It is composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.

How many distinct layers does Earth's atmosphere have?

Earth's atmosphere has five distinct layers, which are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

What is the troposphere and what is its significance?

The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth, extending about 12 km from the surface. It is known as the lower atmosphere where weather occurs and contains the air that humans breathe.

Why is the stratosphere important?

The stratosphere is important because it is where the ozone layer exists, which absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation, and it is also where scientists send weather balloons and jets fly to avoid tropospheric turbulence.

What is the ozone layer and what does it do?

The ozone layer is a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth from its damaging effects.

How does the temperature change in the mesosphere?

In the mesosphere, temperatures can reach a low of -90°C, and it is the layer where meteors burn up due to the thin air and the distance between molecules.

What is the thermosphere and how does its temperature vary?

The thermosphere is a layer that rises several hundred kilometers above Earth's surface. Its temperature increases with height and can reach as high as 2000ºC, although the air would feel cold due to the sparse distribution of molecules.

What is the Kármán line and its significance?

The Kármán line is an altitude that roughly marks where traditional aircraft can no longer effectively fly. It is based on the physical reality of the atmosphere and is considered the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.

What is the exosphere and how is it different from other layers?

The exosphere is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere with very few atmospheric molecules that can escape into space. Some scientists consider it part of outer space rather than the atmosphere, as it has no clear upper boundary.

What is the exobase and its role?

The exobase, also known as the 'critical altitude,' is the lower boundary of the exosphere. It is the altitude where barometric conditions no longer apply, and atmospheric temperature becomes nearly constant.

Why does the thermosphere have such high temperatures despite feeling cold?

The thermosphere can have temperatures as high as 2000ºC, but it feels cold because the air molecules are so far apart that there is little to no heat transfer to a human body or object.