Layers of Earth's Atmosphere Explained

Only water vapor and carbon dioxide

A solid layer of ozone

Multiple layers of various gases

A single layer of oxygen

Stratosphere

Troposphere

Mesosphere

Exosphere

Mesosphere

Stratosphere

Troposphere

Thermosphere

It contains the majority of Earth's oxygen.

It absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays.

It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.

It generates weather patterns.

Satellites orbit the Earth.

Meteors burn up.

Weather patterns form.

Ozone absorbs UV rays.

It is closest to the sun.

It contains the least amount of ozone.

It is densely packed with cold gases.

It is far from the heat absorbed by Earth.

Friction with meteors

Absorption of UV rays

Direct energy from the sun

High density of gases

It is the warmest layer.

Atoms and molecules can escape into space.

It is where most weather occurs.

It contains the ozone layer.

Remain constant

Very hot only

Vary from very cold to very hot

Very cold only

Hundreds of years

Millions of years

Billions of years

Thousands of years