the earth’s atmosphere. characteristics of the atmosphere the atmosphere is a mixture of gases...
TRANSCRIPT
The Earth’s Atmosphere
Characteristics of the Atmosphere
• The Atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surround the earth • The Atmosphere protects us from
the harmful rays of the sun.
Composition of the Atmosphere
• Besides the main two gases Nitrogen and Oxygen, the atmosphere also contains liquids and small solids
• The most common of the liquids in the atmosphere is water
Atmospheric Pressure
• Air pressure is the measure of the force with which the air molecules push on a surface
• As you move farther from the earth’s surface (lithosphere)
the air pressure decreases.
Pressure• The Atmosphere is held in its position by the
gravity of the earth • Gravity pulls the gas molecules towards the
earth which gives them weight • As you move farther from the earth the air
pressure decreases
• Altitude is the height of an object above the earths surface
Air Temperature
• As you pass through the atmosphere, air temperature changes to warmer or colder conditions
Layers of the Atmosphere• The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into five
layers- the troposphere , the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, and the exosphere
Troposphere
• the layer of the atmosphere nearest Earth’s surface
• where all weather occurs• temperature is warmest near the ground
and decreases as you go higher, (as altitude increases, temperature decreases )
Stratosphere
• Is very thin and contains little moisture
• Is extremely cold (-60 degrees Celsius)
• The ozone layer which absorbs the harmful rays of sunlight is found here• Jets fly here
Mesosphere
• Is the coldest layer of the atmosphere (-93° C)
• Meteors burn up in this layer
Thermosphere
• Temperatures can reach 2,000 degrees Celsius
• The temperature here is dependent on solar activity.
• Auroras occur in this layer
Exosphere
• Different regions of this layer make long distance communication possible• Satellites found here
A way to remember the layers of Earth’s Atmosphere!
• Troposphere• Stratosphere• Mesosphere• Thermosphere• Exosphere • That Snail Missed The Exit!