1. Layers of the Atmosphere Notes

2. Scientists divide Earth’s atmosphere into four main layers classified according to changes in temperature.
These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere.

3. Troposphere “tropo” means turning or changing
Layer where weather occurs, planes fly, and mountains are
Most dense layer
As altitude increases, temperature decreases

4. Troposphere Shallowest layer
Varies from 16km above the equator to less than 9km above the N & S poles
Top of troposphere = -60 C/-76 F

5. Stratosphere
“strato” means layer or spread out
Contains the ozone layer
Upper stratosphere is warmer than lower stratosphere
Ozone layer absorbs sun’s energy, which is converted into heat, warming the air above it

6. Mesosphere
“meso” means middle
Outer mesosphere is -90 C/-130 F
Layer that protects Earth’s surface from being hit by meteoroids

7. Thermosphere
“thermo” means heat
Very thin air: 0.001% as dense as the air at sea level
Very hot: 1800 C/3272 F
Thickest layer

8. Ionosphere
“iono” means ions or charged particles
Ions form in this layer
Radio waves bounce off ions and back to Earth’s surface
Northern lights occur in this layer – particles from sun strike atoms making them glow

9. Exosphere
“exo” means outer
Extends out for thousands of kilometers
Space shuttles and satellites orbit here

10. Layers of the Atmosphere
BrainPop on
Layers of the Atmosphere

11. Come up with a mnemonic device to help you remember the layers of the atmosphere.
M T
I E