ATHMOSPHERE

MESOSPHERE
AND
THERMOSPHERE
BIOGEOCHEMICAL SYSTEM
NUCLEAR FUSION
nuclear
reaction in which
hydrogen nuclei fuse
together to
form helium nuclei and
release energy.
HELIUM

ENERGY
 EARTH
AND ITS
ATMOSPHERE
The Earth's mass exerts a gravitational
force that holds to the Earth a large
amount of gases, known as the
atmosphere.
 The atmosphere may seem to be completely transparent to
solar radiation, but in fact there are dynamic interactions
occurring constantly that result in a complex and delicately
balanced system crucial to the continuation of present life forms on
Earth. Two resulting phenomena that are crucial to the
maintenance of life on Earth:

1. The atmosphere acts as a filter, absorbing and reflecting

portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the ultraviolet
region, that are harmful to humans and other life forms.

2. The atmosphere provides a natural "greenhouse

effect", maintaining the temperatures and climates in which life
forms on Earth have evolved to survive.
The athmosphere makes Earth
HABITABLE.
solar radiation= heat
Increases in CANCER
Damage to crops
Global Warming
 MESOSPHERE
AND
THERMOSPHERE
MESOSPHERE
T
‰here is little ozone to absorb solar energy in
the mesosphere, and therefore, the air
temperature in the mesosphere decreases
with height.

A
‰lso, air molecules are able to lose more
energy than they absorb. This cooling effect is
particularly large near the top of the
mesosphere.
MESOSPHERE
m
‰iddle layer where beautiful shooting stars
occur. Burning up of meteor is much definite
term.

31-53 mi above sea level (50-85 km)

‰

-90 degrees Centigrade

‰

‰octilucent clouds/ Polar Mesospheric

N
clouds
THERMOSPHERE
I‰n thermosphere, oxygen molecules absorb
solar rays and warms the air.

B
‰ecause this layer has a low air density, the
absorption of small amount of solar energy
can cause large temperature increase.

T
‰he air temperature in the thermosphere is
affected greatly by solar activity.
THERMOSPHERE
1500 degrees centigrade
‰

i‰
ncludes the ionosphere

56 mi
‰

h
‰igh temperature in thermosphere can cause
molecules (gas) to ionize.

a
‰tomic O, N, and He
AURORA
I‰ons from outer space collide with
thermospheric atoms and molecules, exciting
them into higheer energy states. They shed
excess energy by emitting photons of light.