Layers of the Atmosphere Virginia Grade 6 2023

Layers of the atmosphere

What is it? What is it made of? What does it do for Earth?

Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases called the atmosphere. It is 78% nitrogen (N), 21% oxygen (O), and 1% other gases.

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​What is Earth's atmosphere?

Multiple Choice

What element is most common in Earth's atmosphere?

• nitrogen

• oxygen

• neon

• carbon

There are 5 layers of Earth's atmosphere and each have their own traits. They are: trophosphere, stratosphere with the ozone, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

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​What is the atmosphere?

Reorder

Reorder the following

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

This is where you are. This level reaches up to 6.2 miles above Earth's surface. Most water and clouds and weather are found in the troposphere. The higher up, the temperature and air pressure falls. The air is less dense so it's colder.

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​Troposphere

From the top of the troposphere to 31 miles, is the stratosphere. It's stable temperature-wise in the stratosphere. Inside is the ozone layer. This layer absorbs UV rays. UV rays cause sunburn or even skin cancer. Airplanes fly at the bottom of the stratosphere. Weather balloons are found here.

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​Stratosphere

The ozone layer protects Earth from harmful rays of the sun. A hole in the ozone layer was found in 1985 over Antarctica. These were caused by CFC's and HFC's. Today the hole has shrunk because these harmful chemicals are no longer used.

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​Stratosphere

From the top of the stratosphere to 53 miles is the mesosphere. It's the layer in the middle. Mesos- means relating to the middle. This layer is thinner and cooler. Because the layer is thinner, there isn't enough air for humans to breathe. In the mesosphere is where meteors burn up.

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​Mesosphere

From the top of the mesosphere to about 310 miles is the thermosphere. The prefix thermos - means heat. The temperature can reach up to 2000^oF. The Aurora Borealis is found here.

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Thermosphere

This is empty space. It's made up mostly of hydrogen (H) and helium (He). It is very cold in space. The particles are so far apart there is nothing to store the sun's energy.​

Exosphere

Match

Match the following

• weather

• ozone layer

• meteors burn up

• Aurora Borealis

• empty space

troposphere

stratosphere

mesosphere

thermosphere

exosphere

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

Multiple Choice

Which layer would you find animals and plants?

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

Multiple Choice

Which layer would you find weather balloons?

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

Multiple Choice

Which layer would you find the International Space Station?

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

Multiple Choice

Which layer would you find satellites and blends into outer space?

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

Reorder

Reorder the following

• troposphere

• stratosphere

• mesosphere

• thermosphere

• exosphere

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5