1. The Atmosphere

2. The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the planet and makes conditions on Earth suitable for living things.

3. What is the atmosphere?
It holds the oxygen you breathe and protects you from the sun’s radiation.
It also helps keep us warm.

4. How does it work?

5. Layers of the Atmosphere
Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several different atmospheric layers extending from Earth’s surface outward.

6. Layers of the Atmosphere
The troposphere is where all the weather occurs.
It is the closest layer to Earth’s surface.
It is the layer we live in.

7. Troposphere: Where We Live
Densest layer – makes up 90% of the atmosphere’s mass
Contains almost all carbon dioxide, water vapor, weather, and life
Temps vary greatly

8. Layers of the Atmosphere
The stratosphere is located directly above the troposphere.
This is where the ozone layer is.

9. Stratosphere: Home of the Ozone
Temperature rises as altitude rises in this layer because ozone absorbs heat from radiation.
Ozone protects the troposphere from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

10. Layers of the Atmosphere
The next layer up is the mesosphere.

11. Mesosphere: Middle Layer
Middle and coldest layer
Temp decreases as altitude increases

12. Ionosphere
The Ionosphere is in the upper mesosphere, lower thermosphere.
Particles get heated by radiation and become electrically charged.
Charged particles are called ions.
These particles sometimes radiate energy in the form of light called auroras.

13. Thermosphere: The Edge
Temp increases with altitude
Heat is a transfer of thermal energy, but the atoms are so far apart in the thermosphere that no heat is transferred.
Although the temperature may be high, it is not hot.

14. Layers of the Atmosphere
Space
Exosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere (Ozone Layer)
Troposphere (Weather, Life)
Earth’s Surface

15. Names and Their Meaning
Sphere = Ball
Tropo = turning or change
Gasses turn and mix
Strato = layer
Gasses are layered
Meso = middle
Middle layer
Thermo = heat
Temperature is highest

17. Atmospheric Gases Nitrogen & Oxygen
These are the two most common gases found in the atmosphere.
They can be found throughout all the layers.

18. Composition 78% nitrogen (N) 21% oxygen (O) 1% small particles of
dust, ash, sea salt,
dirt, and smoke

19. Atmospheric Gases Ozone Ozone is a form of oxygen
It is only found in the stratosphere

20. Atmospheric Gases Water Vapor & Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
These are important gases for weather conditions.
They are found in the troposphere where weather occurs.

21. Atmospheric Temperatures
Differences in temperature are what separate each layer in the atmosphere from the one above and/or below it.

22. Atmosphere and Temperature
Air temperature changes with altitude.
Temperature differences mainly result from the way solar energy is absorbed.
Some gasses absorb energy better than others.

23. Atmospheric Temperatures
In the troposphere:
As altitude increases, temperature decreases
Altitude Temperature

24. Atmospheric Temperatures
In the stratosphere:
The stratosphere is cold except in its upper region where ozone is located.
Altitude Temperature
Ozone Layer

25. Atmospheric Temperatures
In the Mesosphere:
This is the COLDEST layer in the atmosphere.
Altitude Temperature

26. Atmospheric Temperatures
In the thermosphere:
Even though the air is thin in the thermosphere, it is very HOT.
Altitude Temperature

27. Atmospheric Temperatures
Altitude Temperature
Beyond the thermosphere is the exosphere which leads into outer space where it is very cold, because there is little to no atmosphere to absorb the Sun’s heat energy.

28. Atmospheric Temperatures
Temperature Altitude
Outer Space
Exosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Earth’s Surface

29. Altitude, Temperature, and Pressure

30. Layers of the Atmosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere

32. Water
Water can be found in the atmosphere as:
Liquid
Solid
Gas

33. Air Pressure
Air pressure is the measure of the force that air molecules push against a surface.
Air pressure is strongest at the surface because there is more air above you.
As altitude increases,
air pressure decreases.
This is because air is
less dense the higher up you go.

39. Exosphere Just past the thermosphere is the exosphere.
Very few molecules. The outer most layer.

41. Review Why does temperature vary from one layer to another?
Why does air pressure decrease as altitude increases?
Why does the thermosphere have high temperatures but does not feel hot?
What two gasses make up most of the atmosphere?
What are the layers of the atmosphere, in order from bottom to top?