The Atmosphere

A report by: Christian Lloyd P. Deblois

Objectives:

 To
be able to know what is an atmosphere
and its general characteristics.
 To
know the different compositions of the
Earth’s atmosphere.
 To
know the distribution of the Earth’s
atmosphere.
What is an Atmosphere?
Atmosphere – atmos (vapour) + spharia (ball ,
globe)
 The gas and aerosol envelope that extends
from the ocean, land, and ice-covered
surface of a planet outward into space.
 Density of an atmosphere decreases
outward, because of the gravitational
attraction of the planet.
 There is no atmosphere in space.
Fun fact: Atmosphere of Mars

 Made mostly of carbon dioxide , nitrogen

and argon
 Airpressure atop mount Everest is 50 times
higher than in Mars.
 Breezes can gust up to 97 km/hr.
Earth’s Atmosphere.
 Made from a layer of gases.
 Nitrogenand oxygen account for 99% of the
gases in dry air. Argon, Carbon Dioxide,
Helium, Neon and other gases make up the
minute portions.
 Water vapour and dust are also part of
Earth’s atmosphere.
 Comprised of different layers
Compositions/Layers
Troposphere
 Lowest atmospheric layer
 Extends from ground to about 10 kilometres high.
 Weather develops in this layer, because it contains almost all
of the atmosphere’s water vapour.
 Air thins as altitude increases.
 Absorbs heat that is reflected back from the ground.
(greenhouse effect)
Stratosphere
 Extends from the tropopause (upper boundary of
the troposphere) to about 50 kilometres above
Earth’s surface.
 Strong horizontal winds blow in this layer, but with
little turbulence.
 Contains the ozone layer.
 Ozone layer is uneven, and thinner near the poles.
Mesosphere
 Extends from the stratopause (upper boundary of
the stratosphere) to about 85 kilometres above the
surface of the Earth.
 Has the coldest temperatures in the atmosphere,
reaching up to -120 degrees Celsius.
 Shooting stars are visible in the mesosphere.
 Least understood part of Earth’s atmosphere. Since
its too high for aircraft or weather balloons , but too
low for space crafts.
Thermosphere
 Extends from the mesopause (upper boundary of the mesosphere) to
690 kilometres above the surface of the Earth.
 Here thinly scattered molecules of gas absorb x-rays and ultraviolet
radiation. Which propels the molecules to great speeds and high
temperatures.
 Temperatures can rise up to 1500 degrees Celsius, but there is not
much heat.
 It is where the International Space Station and the Hubble Space
Telescope orbit the Earth.
Fun fact: The ISS
 16 nations were involved in the construction of the
International Space Station.
 It is the single most expensive object ever built,
with an estimated cost of $120 billion.
 Currently it is the third brightest object in the night
sky after the moon and Venus.
Exosphere
 The fluctuating area between the thermosphere and
the exosphere is called the turbopause.
 The exosphere expands and contracts as it comes
into contact with solar storms.
 Solar storms can squeeze the exosphere to 1000
kilometres above the Earth. When the sun is calm,
the exosphere can extend 10000 kilometres.
 Hydrogen dominates the exosphere, only small
traces of other gases are present.
END
References:
 https://www.britannica.com/science/atmosphere
 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/mars
/
 https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/atmosphere/#
:~:text=Earth's%20atmosphere%20is%20composed%20of,such%20as%
20temperature%20and%20pressure
.
 https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/59662/15-out-world-facts-about-in
ternational-space-station