Earths Atmosphere

The Atmosphere

Layers of the Atmosphere

Earth is Just Right

Layers of the
Atmosphere
The atmosphere
has four layers:
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere

Layers of the
Atmosphere
The four layers of the
atmosphere include:
1. the troposphere, where
we live;
2. the stratosphere, which
contains the ozone layer;
3. the mesosphere, where
meteors burn; and

4. the thermosphere, where

satellites orbit Earth.

Layers of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided into layers
based on temperature changes.

5.2 Layers of the Atmosphere

The exosphere
begins at about 500
kilometers above
Earth and does not
have a specific outer
limit.
Satellites orbit Earth
in the exosphere.

5.2 The exosphere and ionosphere

Communication on Earth
depends on satellites.
Satellites transmit
information used for
television shows, radio
broadcasts, data and
photos used in weather
reports, and long
distance telephone calls.

Atmospheric Temperatures
Differences in temperature are what
separate each layer in the atmosphere
from the one above and/or below it.

Atmospheric
Temperatures
Altitude
Temperature
In the troposphere:

As altitude increases,
temperature decreases

Atmospheric
Temperatures
Altitude
Temperature
In the stratosphere:

The stratosphere is
cold except in its
upper region where
ozone is located.

Ozone
Layer

Atmospheric
Temperatures
Altitude
Temperature
In the Mesosphere:

This is the COLDEST

layer in the
atmosphere.

In theAtmospheric
thermosphere:

Temperatures
Altitude
Temperature

Even though the air is

thin in the
thermosphere, it is very
HOT.

Atmospheric
Temperatures
Altitude
Temperature
Beyond the thermosphere
is the exosphere which
leads into outer space
where it is very cold,
because there is little
to no atmosphere to
absorb the Suns heat
energy.

Temperature

Altitude

Atmospheric
Temperatures
Outer Space
Exosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Earths Surface

Atmospheric
Pressure
Altitude
Air pressure is the
force exerted by the
gases pushing on an
object.

Air pressure is
greatest near the
surface of the Earth in
the troposphere.

Air Pressure

Solar Energy
Energy from the Sun is known as Solar
Energy.
Solar energy is the driving energy
source for heating Earth, and
circulation in Earths atmosphere.

Solar Energy
Some of the Suns energy coming
through Earths atmosphere is
reflected by gases and/or clouds in the
atmosphere.

Solar Energy
The land heats up and releases its heat
fairly quickly.

Water needs to absorb lots of solar

energy to warm up.
It is the water on Earth that helps to
regulate the temperature range of
Earths atmosphere.

Solar Energy
Solar energy that is absorbed by
Earths land and water surfaces is
changed to heat that moves/radiates
back into the atmosphere (troposphere)
where the heat cannot be transmitted
through the atmosphere so it is trapped,
a process known as the greenhouse
effect.

5.2 The ozone layer

In the 1970s,
scientists noticed
that the ozone layer
in the stratosphere
above Antarctica
was thinning.

5.2 Chlorofluorocarbons and the

ozone layer
A group of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons
(or CFCs) were once commonly used in air
conditioners, in aerosol spray cans, and for
cleaning machine parts.
In the London Agreement of 1991, more than 90
countries banned the production and use of
CFCs except for limited medical uses.

5.2 Chlorofluorocarbons and the

ozone layer
The ozone layer
absorbs the Suns
high-energy
ultraviolet (UV)
radiation and
protects the Earth.

5.2 Chlorofluorocarbons and the

ozone layer
In the stratosphere, the
CFCs break down and
release chlorine.
The chlorine reacts
with ozone molecules,
which normally block
incoming ultraviolet
radiation.