Atmosphere:-

1. What is the Atmosphere?

 The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the Earth, held by gravity.

 It protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful solar radiation, regulating temperature,

and providing essential gases for survival.

 The atmosphere is composed of various gases, including nitrogen (78%), oxygen

(21%), argon (0.93%), and carbon dioxide (0.04%).

2. Composition of the Atmosphere

 The Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of different gases, water vapor, and dust
particles.

 Major Gases:

o Nitrogen (78%) – Essential for plant growth through the nitrogen cycle.

o Oxygen (21%) – Vital for respiration in humans and animals.

o Argon (0.93%) – An inert gas with no significant effect on weather or climate.

o Carbon Dioxide (0.04%) – Essential for photosynthesis, absorbs heat,

contributing to the greenhouse effect.

o Other Gases: Includes neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen, ozone, and
xenon.

 Water Vapor:

o Varies from 0-4% depending on the region.

o Essential for cloud formation, precipitation, and weather patterns.

 Dust Particles:

o Act as nuclei for condensation, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

o Absorb and reflect sunlight, influencing atmospheric temperature.

3. Layers of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided into five major layers based on temperature changes:

a) Troposphere (0-12 km)

 Lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending up to 8 km at the poles and 18 km at the

equator.
  Contains 75-80% of the atmosphere’s mass and almost all weather phenomena
(clouds, rain, storms).

 Temperature decreases with altitude (approx. 6.5°C per km, called the lapse rate).

 The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere, where
temperature stops decreasing.

Key Features:
✅ Weather events occur here (rain, storms, hurricanes).
✅ Contains most water vapor and dust particles.
✅ Warmest near Earth's surface due to heat absorption.

b) Stratosphere (12-50 km)

 Extends from the tropopause (12 km) to about 50 km.

 Temperature increases with altitude due to the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful
UV radiation.

 Airflow is stable, making it ideal for airplane travel to avoid turbulence.

 The stratopause is the boundary between the stratosphere and mesosphere.

Key Features:
✅ Contains the ozone layer, which protects life by absorbing UV radiation.
✅ Stable conditions, suitable for aircraft.
✅ No weather disturbances.

c) Mesosphere (50-80 km)

 Extends from the stratopause to 80 km above Earth.

 Coldest layer (-90°C at the top).

 Temperature decreases with altitude due to fewer molecules absorbing solar

radiation.

 Meteors burn up in this layer due to friction with air molecules, forming shooting
stars.

 The mesopause is the boundary between the mesosphere and thermosphere.

Key Features:
✅ Coldest layer of the atmosphere.
✅ Protects Earth from meteors.
✅ Very thin air, not suitable for breathing.

d) Thermosphere (80-700 km)

 Also called the Ionosphere due to the presence of ionized gases that reflect radio
waves.

 Temperature increases sharply (up to 2000°C or more) due to direct exposure to

solar radiation.

 Contains the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern
Lights) caused by charged particles from the Sun.

 Space stations and satellites orbit in this region.

Key Features:
✅ Hottest layer due to solar radiation absorption.
✅ Hosts auroras (Northern and Southern Lights).
✅ Contains charged particles that help in radio communication.

e) Exosphere (700-10,000 km)

 The outermost layer, gradually merging with outer space.

 Very thin air, mostly hydrogen and helium molecules.

 No definite boundary, as it fades into space.

 Satellites orbit in this region due to minimal air resistance.

Key Features:
✅ Least dense layer, nearly vacuum-like.
✅ Transition zone between Earth’s atmosphere and space.
✅ Satellites and spacecraft operate here.

4. Importance of the Atmosphere

 Provides oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

 Regulates temperature, maintaining a stable climate.

 Absorbs harmful solar radiation, protecting life on Earth.

  Plays a role in weather and climate through wind, precipitation, and cloud
formation.

 Enables communication by reflecting radio waves in the ionosphere.

5. Atmospheric Pressure and Circulation

 Atmospheric Pressure: The weight of air exerted on the Earth’s surface.

o Measured in millibars (mb) or hectopascals (hPa).

o Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level: 1013.25 mb.

 Pressure Belts of the Earth:

o Equatorial Low (Doldrums): 0° latitude, hot and humid, rising air causes low
pressure.

o Subtropical High (Horse Latitudes): 30° latitude, sinking air creates high
pressure.

o Subpolar Low: 60° latitude, warm and cold air meet, causing storms.

o Polar High: 90° latitude, cold air sinks, creating high pressure.

6. Winds and Atmospheric Circulation

 Winds move from high to low pressure areas due to the Coriolis Effect (Earth’s
rotation).

 Types of Winds:

o Trade Winds: Blow from east to west in tropical regions.

o Westerlies: Blow from west to east in mid-latitudes.

o Polar Easterlies: Blow from east to west near the poles.

 Jet Streams: High-speed winds found in the upper atmosphere, influencing weather
patterns.

7. Weather and Climate

 Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, precipitation).

 Climate: Long-term weather patterns in a specific region.

 Major Climate Zones:

o Tropical

o Temperate
 o Polar

8. Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

 Greenhouse Effect: The process by which greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, H₂O, N₂O)
trap heat in the atmosphere, maintaining Earth's temperature.

 Global Warming: The increase in Earth's average temperature due to excessive

greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

9. Ozone Layer and Ozone Depletion

 The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun.

 Ozone Depletion: Caused by Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants,

leading to the formation of the ozone hole.

 Montreal Protocol (1987): An international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting

substances.

10. Air Pollution and Its Effects

 Sources of Air Pollution:

o Natural: Volcanic eruptions, wildfires, dust storms.

o Anthropogenic (Human-made): Factories, vehicles, deforestation, agriculture.

 Types of Pollutants:

o Primary Pollutants: Emitted directly (CO₂, SO₂, NOx, PM2.5, PM10).

o Secondary Pollutants: Formed by chemical reactions (Ozone, Smog, Acid

Rain).

 Solutions to Reduce Air Pollution:

o Promoting renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro).

o Reducing industrial emissions.

o Using public transport and electric vehicles.

o Implementing strict environmental regulations.

Summary Table: Structure of the Atmosphere

 Altitude
Layer Temperature Trend Key Features
Range

Decreases with Weather, clouds, life-supporting

Troposphere 0-12 km
altitude gases

Stratosphere 12-50 km Increases with altitude Ozone layer, aircraft travel

Decreases with
Mesosphere 50-80 km Coldest layer, meteors burn up
altitude

Thermosphere 80-700 km Increases with altitude Hottest layer, auroras, satellites

700-10,000 Outer space transition, satellites

Exosphere No clear trend
km orbit