8+Layers+of+the+Atmosphere

Layers of the Atmosphere The earth is surrounded by the atmosphere, a blanket of air that protects the planet from harmful solar radiation, like UV Rays. It also helps sustain life on earth by providing oxygen (for living things to survive) and weather (for a constant water supply). It also shields the earth from small meteors that plummet into the ground every moment; the atmosphere provides friction for them to burn up, thus avoiding injuries and damages. The atmosphere is made up of four layers, each of which have special functions and characteristics. Let us learn more about them.

A. Characteristics - lowest layer of the atmosphere - about 8-16 km up - has cooler temperatures in the upper regions than the lower regions - most dense layer of the atmosphere, contains up to 75% of its mass - consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% trace gases - region where most weather occurs, such as clouds and thunderstorms - contains the tropopause, a region of stable temperature. This is where the troposphere ends and separates it from the stratosphere. A. Characteristics - second layer of the atmosphere, above the tropsophere - about 12-50km up - contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation. This causes the rise of temperature until 0˚C. - generally free of weather or clouds - favorable for long-haul flights, which take place above turbulence and storms - the stratopause separates it from the mesosphere. The stratopause contains the highest temperature in the stratosphere. A. Characteristics - third layer of the atmosphere, above the stratosphere - about 50-80km up - temperatures drop with increasing altitude up to -100˚C. It is the coldest layer of the atmosphere. - sometimes has noctilucent clouds, which are formed by water vapor freezing into ice clouds. - also the region where meteors entering the atmosphere burn up, leaving a long, bright trail known as shooting stars. - separated from the thermosphere by the mesopause. This is the coldest region of the mesosphere A. Characteristics - largest but least moist layer of the atmosphere - about 80km and beyond - temperatures rise well over 1000˚C due to solar radiation, although the scarcity of air molecules means that it still feels very cold to humans. - the lower region of the thermosphere is the ionosphere (80-600km). This is where solar energy (ultraviolet and cosmic rays) ionizes the air molecules, leaving ions and electrons. This is also where aurorae occur. - the upper region of the thermosphere is the exosphere (600-10000km). This is the final part of the atmosphere where the air molecules are escaping due to its very low density. This is also where the atmosphere transitions into space, and thus, is where most low-level satellites orbit. -"holes" in the ozone layer -global warming -climate change -air pollution -enhanced greenhouse effect We will be giving a bonusprize to whoever can get perfect in our checkup quiz. //** question number 1: What if you were a pilot which layer of the atmosphere do you fly your plane? question number 2: What if you were a Zeus which layer of the atmosphere would you throw lightning from? question number 3: What if you wondered which layer of the atmosphere liquid water vapor freezes? question number 4: What if you were a bird which layer of the atmosphere would you fly in? question number 5: What if NASA launched a low-level satellite into orbit what layer of the atmosphere would it be floating in? question number 6: What if you look around you which layer of the atmosphere are you living in? question number 7: What if you were a Japanese mountain climber and you reached the top of Mt. Fuji which layer of the atmosphere would you be in? question number 8: What if you wondered at which layer do meteors burn? question number 9: what if you were sky diving and you suddenly felt a cool temperature change from the stratosphere to the troposphere why is that? question number 10: Which layer of the atmosphere traps greenhouse gases\ we have hid the cq as we will use it in our ppt **//
 * I. Troposphere**
 * II. Stratosphere**
 * III. Mesosphere**
 * IV. Thermosphere**
 * V. Some issues regarding the atmosphere**