Layers of the Atmosphere

Front

Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

Back

Atmosphere

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The entire envelope of gases that surrounds the Earth, held in place by gravity and divided into five distinct layers.

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Example: This diagram shows the five main layers of Earth's atmosphere, ordered by altitude, with key characteristics like temperature and common phenomena for each layer.

Front

Troposphere Noun

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[troh-puh-sfeer]

Back

Troposphere

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The lowest layer of the atmosphere, where weather phenomena occur and where most of the planet's life is found.

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Example: This diagram shows the Troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface to about 12 km, where airplanes fly and weather happens.

Front

Stratosphere Noun

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[strat-uh-sfeer]

Back

Stratosphere

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The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which contains the ozone layer that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

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Example: This diagram shows the Stratosphere as the second layer of the atmosphere, located above the Troposphere, where supersonic jets and stratospheric balloons fly.

Front

Mesosphere Noun

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[mes-o-sfeer]

Back

Mesosphere

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The middle layer of the atmosphere, known as the coldest layer, where most meteors burn up upon entering.

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Example: This diagram shows the Mesosphere as the layer of the atmosphere above the Stratosphere, where meteors burn up upon entering from space.

Front

Thermosphere Noun

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[thur-mo-sfeer]

Back

Thermosphere

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The hottest layer of the atmosphere, containing the ionosphere and where the aurora borealis and space shuttles are found.

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Example: This diagram shows the Thermosphere's location and altitude (50-400 km) relative to the other layers of Earth's atmosphere, starting from the ground up.

Front

Exosphere Noun

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[ek-so-sfeer]

Back

Exosphere

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The outermost layer of the atmosphere that gradually fades into the vacuum of space, containing very few gas particles.

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Example: This diagram shows the Exosphere as the final, outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, where the atmosphere thins out and merges with outer space.

Front

Ozone Layer Noun

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[oh-zohn lay-er]

Back

Ozone Layer

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A region of high ozone concentration within the stratosphere that is crucial for absorbing the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

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Example: This diagram shows the ozone layer surrounding Earth and how it protects the planet by blocking most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Front

Ionosphere Noun

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[ahy-on-uh-sfeer]

Back

Ionosphere

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A region of charged particles within the thermosphere that can reflect radio waves, enabling long-distance communication.

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Example: This diagram shows the main layers of Earth's atmosphere and highlights the Ionosphere, a region in the upper atmosphere that overlaps several other layers.

Front

Altitude Noun

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[al-ti-tood]

Back

Altitude

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The vertical distance or height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.

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Example: This diagram shows that as altitude (height) increases from sea level to a mountain top, the air becomes less dense, causing atmospheric pressure to decrease.

Front

Air Pressure Noun

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[air presh-er]

Back

Air Pressure

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The force exerted on a surface by the weight of the air above it, which decreases as altitude increases.

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Example: This image shows that air pressure is higher at lower altitudes because there are more air molecules above, and lower at higher altitudes with fewer molecules.