Composition of the Atmosphere of the Earth

Composition of Earth's atmosphere by volume. The lower pie represents the trace gases that
together compose about 0.038% of the atmosphere (0.043% with CO2).

The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by
Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming
the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect), and reducing temperature extremes between day
and night (the diurnal temperature variation).

The common name given to the atmospheric gases used in breathing and photosynthesis is air. By
volume, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and
small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor, on average around 1%
at sea level, and 0.4% over the entire atmosphere. Although air content and atmospheric pressure vary at
different layers, air suitable for the survival of terrestrial plants and terrestrial animals currently is only
known to be found in Earth's troposphere and artificial atmospheres.

The atmosphere has a mass of about 5.15×1018 kg, three quarters of which is within about 11 km
(6.8 mi; 36,000 ft) of the surface. The atmosphere becomes thinner and thinner with increasing altitude,
with no definite boundary between the atmosphere and outer space.

The Kármán line, at 100 km (62 mi), or 1.57% of Earth's radius, is often used as the border
between the atmosphere and outer space. Atmospheric effects become noticeable during atmospheric
reentry of spacecraft at an altitude of around 120 km (75 mi). Several layers can be distinguished in the
atmosphere, based on characteristics such as temperature and composition.

Composition

Air is mainly composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, which together constitute the major
gases of the atmosphere. Water vapor accounts for roughly 0.25% of the atmosphere by mass. The
concentration of water vapor (a greenhouse gas) varies significantly from around 10 ppmv in the coldest
portions of the atmosphere to as much as 5% by volume in hot, humid air masses, and concentrations of
other atmospheric gases are typically provided for dry air without any water vapor. The remaining gases are
often referred to as trace gases, among which are the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, and ozone.

Filtered air includes trace amounts of many other chemical compounds. Many substances of natural
origin may be present in locally and seasonally variable small amounts as aerosols in an unfiltered air
sample, including dust of mineral and organic composition, pollen and spores, sea spray, and volcanic ash.
Various industrial pollutants also may be present as gases or aerosols, such as chlorine (elemental or in
compounds), fluorine compounds and elemental mercury vapor. Sulfur compounds such as hydrogen
sulfide and sulfur dioxide (SO2) may be derived from natural sources or from industrial air pollution.
Five Characteristics of Atmosphere

1. The first 40 to 50 mi (64–80 km) above the earth contains 99% of the total mass of the
earth's atmosphere and is generally of a uniform composition, except for a high
concentration of ozone, known as the ozone layer, at 12–30 mi (19–50 km).

2. Because of the pull of gravity the density of the atmosphere and the pressure exerted by
air molecules are greatest near the earth's surface (about 1 gram per 103 cc and about
106 dynes per sq cm, respectively). Air pressure decreases quickly with altitude, reaching
one half of its sea-level value at about 18,000 ft (5,500 m).

3. The density of air at sea level is about 1.2 kg/m³(1.2 g/L). The atmospheric density
decreases as the altitude increases. This variation can be approximately modeled using
the barometric formula. More sophisticated models are used by meteorologists and space
agencies to predict weather and orbital decay of satellites.

4. There is no definite boundary between the atmosphere and outer space. It slowly
becomes thinner and fades into space. The Kármán line, at 100 km (62 miles or 328,000
ft), is also frequently regarded as the boundary between atmosphere and outer space.

5. The temperature of the Earth's atmosphere varies with altitude; The average temperature
of the atmosphere at the surface of Earth is 15 °C (59 °F)
Solar Radiation and Earth's Energy Balance.
The Physics of Radiative Heat Transfer.

Energy moves in the climate system from one form to another. Particularly
important in the climate system is the transfer of thermal energy within and between
the different components of the climate system. Thermal energy or heat can move
from one place to another in three different forms:

 Conduction: The spreading of heat through molecular vibrations. This form of

heat transfer requires the presence of matter and can occur in solids, liquids, and
gases. In the climate system conduction occurs mainly over small distances. In
the atmosphere and oceans it is taken over by advection and convection.

 Advection/convection: The spreading of heat in fluids and gases through the

flow of matter from one place to another. Advection occurs in the horizontal plane
and convection in the vertical. In the climate system these forms of heat transfer
are manifested in the motion of the atmosphere and ocean, on both local and
global scales.

 Radiation: The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves. This form

of energy transfer does not require the presence of matter to occur. In this form
energy can travel through empty space from the Sun to the Earth and other
planets in the solar system. Radiation also occurs within the climate system
between the earth's surface and the atmosphere, and within the atmosphere and
ocean.