The Atmosphere

By : Jennifer Drinkard

Atmospheric gases

Our atmosphere is made up of mainly Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Carbon Dioxide, but it also contains traces of argon and other gases.

What is our atmosphere made up of?

Our atmosphere is made up of many gases. 79% of it is comprised of Nitrogen. About 21% is Oxygen. The small amount that is left over is comprised

of carbon dioxide and other gases.

The Layers of the Atmosphere

Our atmosphere is made up of four layers. The Troposphere, the Stratosphere, the Mesosphere, and the Thermosphere. Each of these have their own similarities and differences.

The Troposphere

It is Closest to the Earth’s surface The Troposphere goes up to about 10 – 15 km

above the surface It Contains 75% of the atmosphere’s mass It is Wider at the equator then at the poles Temperature and pressure drops the farther

you go up Weather occurs here

Stratosphere

The Stratosphere is about 35 km It Extends from about 15 – 50 km above the

Earth’s surface This layer Contains ozone It Absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation

from the sun

Mesosphere

It Goes from about 50 to 80 kilometers above the surface

Temperatures are about -130 degrees Fahrenheit

The Mesosphere contains the coldest temperatures anywhere on Earth

This is where meteors coming too close to Earth burn up

Thermosphere

The Thermosphere is the top layer of the atmosphere

Is about 80 to 145 kilometers above Earth’s surface

It contains less than .01% of all air within the atmosphere

Temperatures can reach up to 2000 Fahrenheit

What is global warming?

Global Warming is a rise in average global temperatures.

This is caused by the greenhouse effect.

The Greenhouse Effect The earth’s heating process, in which the gases in the

atmosphere trap thermal energy, is known as the greenhouse effect.

The term “greenhouse” is used because our atmosphere works much like a greenhouse, as shown below.