1. The Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere
Please follow along and add notes to your graphic organizer 

2. Why is the atmosphere important?
The atmosphere is an important part of what makes Earth livable. It blocks some of the Sun's dangerous rays from reaching Earth. It traps heat, making Earth a comfortable temperature.

3. The Atmosphere
The atmosphere consists of layers of air that surround the Earth. Some of the “air” is oxygen, which we breathe, but there are also many other gasses, dust particles, and even some water vapor mixed into the air.

4. Composition of Air
There are many different types of gasses in the atmosphere
They include nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and other noble gasses
The gas that is most abundant is nitrogen

5. Layers of the atmosphere
There are 4 layers in the atmosphere
They are the troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and stratosphere

6. EXOSPHERE THERMOSPHERE MESOSPHERE STRATOSPHERE TROPOSPHERE
The Earth's Atmosphere

7. The troposphere is the layer closest to the surface of Earth
The troposphere is the layer closest to the surface of Earth. Nearly all life and all weather occur in this layer. The air thins in this layer and is denser than in other layers. In this layer, the higher up from Earth’s surface you go, the colder it gets. The peak of Mt. Everest is near the top of this layer.
TROPOSPHERE

8. The temperature in this layer becomes warmer
The temperature in this layer becomes warmer. The air is thinner and drier than in the previous layer.
STRATOSPHERE

9. The mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere
The mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere. When meteoroids from space enter our atmosphere, this is the layer in which they usually burn up. That might be surprising because it’s a pretty thin layer.
MESOSPHERE

10. Temperatures in the thermosphere are very high, more that 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is where space begins. The International Space Station orbits Earth in this layer.
THERMOSPHERE

11. The exosphere is the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere but there is no exact dividing line between this layer and space.
EXOSPHERE

12. EXOSPHERE THERMOSPHERE MESOSPHERE STRATOSPHERE TROPOSPHERE
The exosphere is the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere but there is no exact dividing line between this layer and space.
EXOSPHERE
Temperatures in the thermosphere are very high, more that 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is where space begins. The International Space Station orbits Earth in this layer.
THERMOSPHERE
The mesosphere is the coldest layer of the atmosphere. When meteoroids from space enter our atmosphere, this is the layer in which they usually burn up. That might be surprising because it’s a pretty thin layer.
MESOSPHERE
The temperature in this layer becomes warmer. The air is thinner and drier than in the previous layer.
STRATOSPHERE
The troposphere is the layer closet to the surface of Earth. Nearly all life and all weather occur in this layer. The air thins in this layer and is denser than in other layers. In this layer, the higher up from Earth’s surface you go, the colder it gets. The peak of Mt. Everest is near the top of this layer.
TROPOSPHERE

13. Watch and Learn

14. What is the greenhouse effect (describe how it works)?
Energy from the Sun that makes its way to the Earth’s surface can have trouble finding its way back out to space. This is because of a natural process called the greenhouse effect. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth’s temperature would be below freezing.

15. What are the main greenhouse gases?
Carbon Dioxide
Water Vapor
Nitrous oxide
Methane