ATMOSPHERE
Group 1
Atmosphere
The word atmosphere came from the Greek word
“atmos” meaning “vapor or gas” and the “sapharia”
meaning “sphere or globe”.
What is Atmosphere?
The Earth’s atmosphere is a mixture of gases.
It is composed mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) with
trace gases.
It plays a vital role in supporting life.
The Earth’s atmosphere is an extremely thin sheet
of air extending from the surface of the Earth to
the edge of the space. The earth is a sphere with a
roughly 8000 mile diameter; the thickness of the
atmosphere is about 60 miles.
Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere has 5 layers:
(Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere)
Each layer has distinct characteristics and functions,
with functions with temperature variations.
Troposphere
This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the
Earth's surface up to an average height of 8-15 kilometers (5-9
miles). It is the layer where weather phenomena occur, including
cloud formation, winds, and precipitation. Temperature
generally decreases with altitude in the troposphere.
Stratosphere
Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere, extending
from about 15 to 50 kilometers (9-31 miles) above the
Earth's surface. The stratosphere is characterized by a
layer known as the ozone layer, which absorbs UV
radiation from the Sun. As a result, the temperature in
the stratosphere increases with altitude due to the
absorption of this solar energy.
Mesosphere
The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere,
extending from approximately 50 to 85 kilometers (31-
53 miles) above the Earth's surface. Here, temperatures
once again decrease with altitude. The mesosphere is
where most meteors burn up upon entering the Earth's
atmosphere, creating shooting stars.
Thermosphere
Above the mesosphere lies the thermosphere, which starts at
around 85 kilometers (53 miles) and extends upwards. The
thermosphere is known for its extremely high temperatures
but low density, due to absorption of high-energy solar
radiation. Despite the high temperatures, it would not feel hot
to humans as the air density is very low.
Exosphere
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the
atmosphere, starting from the top of the thermosphere
and extending into space. It consists of extremely thin
and sparse gases, extending thousands of kilometers
into space. This is the layer where satellites orbit the
Earth.
Importance of the Atmosphere
The Atmosphere is vital for life on earth.
It regulates temperature, protects from harmful radiation (ultra violet),
and provides oxygen for living organism.
Atmospheric Circulation
Atmospheric circulation involves the movement of the air masses
globally.
It influences weather patterns, climate, and ecosystems.
Composition of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere consists of various gases, including
nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace amounts of
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.
Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change.
Atmospheric Processes
Key atmospheric processes include conduction,
convection, advection, and radiation.
These processes drive weather phenomena and climate
patterns.
Challenges to the Atmosphere
Challenges facing the atmosphere include air
pollution, ozone depletion, and global climate change.
These issues have widespread environmental impacts.
Human Impact on the
Atmosphere
Human activities have altered the composition of the
atmosphere, leading to pollution and climate change.
Mitigation efforts aim to reduce these impacts,
including renewable energy and emission controls.
Note:
The Earth's atmosphere is a critical subsystem for
sustaining life and climate and that is why responsible
environmental stewardship is essential to protect and
preserve it.