Atmosphere

Earth's Atmosphere

M. Bailey

Layers

There are 5 layers of the atmosphere, but did you know that there are regions of the atmosphere too? There is the heterosphere and the homosphere.

Troposphere

• contains oxygen and human life

• where weather conditions take place

• from earth's surface to about 6-10 km

Stratosphere

• contains ozone

• because of ozone the stratosphere increases in temperature

•  24% of the earth's total atmosphere

Mesosphere

The mesosphere is the coldest atmospheric layer surrounding the earth. It becomes cold enough to freeze water vapor in its atmosphere into ice clouds. These ice clouds are blue-white and are called noctilucent clouds or polar mesospheric clouds. These clouds are more visible at sunset from the earth's poles.

Thermosphere

• where satellites orbit the earth

• absorbs the sun's heat

• makes the auroras because of particles

Exosphere

The exosphere is the highest and top layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It marks the edge of space. There are very few molecules in this layer. The lightest atmospheric gases such as hydrogen and helium exist throughout the exosphere.

Multiple Choice

How many layers are there in the atmosphere?

• 20

• 4

• none

• 5

Multiple Select

Select three facts about the Thermosphere:

• where satellites orbit the earth

• where black holes tend to exist

• absorbs sun's heat

• makes the auroras because of particles