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Earth's Atmosphere: Structure & Importance

The document describes the layers of Earth's atmosphere. It is composed of five main layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The troposphere extends up to around 11 km and contains weather phenomena like clouds. The stratosphere extends from 10-50 km above Earth and contains the ozone layer which absorbs harmful UV radiation. The thermosphere is the hottest layer between 85-500 km high, with temperatures reaching 2000 degrees. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by trapping heat and blocking harmful solar rays, but certain gases like CFCs can deplete the ozone layer.

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Kho Nie Chi
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6 views20 pages

Earth's Atmosphere: Structure & Importance

The document describes the layers of Earth's atmosphere. It is composed of five main layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The troposphere extends up to around 11 km and contains weather phenomena like clouds. The stratosphere extends from 10-50 km above Earth and contains the ozone layer which absorbs harmful UV radiation. The thermosphere is the hottest layer between 85-500 km high, with temperatures reaching 2000 degrees. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by trapping heat and blocking harmful solar rays, but certain gases like CFCs can deplete the ozone layer.

Uploaded by

Kho Nie Chi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CH.

15-1
EARTHS
ATMOSPHERE

Importance
Atmosphere a thin layer
of air that forms a
protective covering around
Earth.
It keeps Earths
temperature in a range that
can support life.

Importance
It also protects life-forms
from some of the Suns
harmful rays.

Makeup of Atmos.
It is a mixture of solids,
liquids, & gases that
surround the planet.

Gases in the Atmos.


Nitrogen = 78%
Oxygen = 21%
CO2 = 0.03%, but could be
increasing due to burning
fossil fuels for energy.

Layers of the Atmos.


5 layers make up Earths
atmosphere:
Troposphere &
Stratosphere
Mesosphere,
thermosphere, &
exosphere

Lower Layers
Troposphere - the lowest
layer of Earths
atmosphere.
Extends up about 11 mi or
10 km
Contains clouds, rain, &
snow.

Lower Layers
Stratosphere is directly
above troposphere
Extends from 10 km 50
km abut Earths surface
Contains a gas called
ozone (O3)

Upper Layers
Mesosphere extends
from top of stratosphere to
about 85 km above Earth
Shooting stars (meteors)
occur here

Upper Layers
Thermosphere the
thickest layer of the
atmosphere (between 85
km & 500 km) above Earth.
Very hot! Temps. can reach
2000 degrees!

Upper Layers
Ionosphere is a layer of
electrically charged
particles found within the
thermosphere.
Absorbs AM radio waves
during day, reflects them at
night.

Upper Layers
Exosphere last (highest)
layer of the atmosphere
Extends more than 500 km
above Earth (very cold)
Marks the transition from
Earths atmosphere to
outer space.

Atmospheric Pressure
Earths gravity pulls
atmospheric gases toward
its surface, & the weight of
the gases presses down on
the air below.
Air pressure decreases
with height.

Ozone Layer
Lies within the
stratosphere.
Blocks Suns harmful
energy (UV radiation)
which is very important to
us.
UV = Ultraviolet

CFCs
CFCs - chlorofluorocarbons
They destroy ozone by the
chlorine combining with one
of the oxygen atoms in ozone.
Allows more UV light to reach
the Earth.

CFCs
CFCs are found in Freon
(used to cool refrigerators, air
conditioners) & aerosol spray
cans (hair spray & spray
paints)
One atom of chlorine can
destroy 100,000 ozone
molecules!!

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