1. THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE: Atmospheric Layers
SOL 6.6

2. No Science Starter! Please get out: Homework Folder
Glue and pencil to write with
ISN (notebook)
Turn to “Graphing the Atmosphere” page

3. Atmosphere
A mixture of gases that surrounds a planet or moon.

4. Gases of the Atmosphere
Nitrogen (N2) = 78%
Oxygen (O2)= 21%
Trace gases= 1%
Argon
CO2
Neon
Methane
Krypton
Hydrogen
Nitrogen (N2) = 78%
Oxygen (O2)= 21%
Trace gases= 1%
Argon
CO2
Neon
Methane
Krypton
Hydrogen

5. Atmospheric Pressure
Gravity pulls down on the air molecules. When gravity does this the layers become compressed and pushes down on the layer below.
Bill Nye:

6. Air Pressure
Air pressure Decreases as you go Higher Air pressure Increases as you go Lower

7. What do Ogres, Onions, and the Atmosphere have in common?
LAYERS!
Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.

8. These layers are the… troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere,
the thermosphere,
Ionosphere
Exosphere

9. Troposphere
Contains almost all of Earth’s CO2, water vapor, clouds, air pollution, weather, and life-forms.
Temperatures vary greatly
Closest to the Earth’s surface 0-15 km
Contains almost 90% of the atmosphere’s total mass!

10. Stratosphere Layer above the troposphere Extends from 15-50 km.
Low stratosphere has an average temp of -60 degrees C.
Temperature rises as altitude increases.
Contains the Ozone Layer.

11. Mesosphere Middle layer of the atmosphere. Extends 50-80 km.
Upper limit for aircraft travel; lower limit for spacecraft travel.
Coldest layer

12. Thermosphere Uppermost atmospheric layer. Extends 80-500 km.
Space between particles in thermosphere is great so not much transfer of energy.
Density is LOW
Temperature increases with altitude.

13. Exosphere Absorbs harmful solar energy.
Contains electrically charged particles.
Area in which Auroras occur.

15. Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earth’s surface.

16. Troposphere
Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere.

17. Troposphere
It extends to about 14 kilometers (around 9 miles) above the Earth
and is where virtually all weather takes place.

18. Troposphere
As you move up into the troposphere the temperature decreases.
At the top of this layer the air temperature is about - 60°C (-76° F).

19. Stratosphere
The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere (14 km/ miles) and extends to about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the surface of the Earth.

20. Stratosphere
As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature actually increases.

21. Stratosphere This occurs because of ozone.
Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat.
The stratospheric or "good" ozone protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

23. Stratosphere
The ozone layer/ ozonosphere is located at the bottom of the stratosphere.

24. Mesosphere
The mesosphere begins at about 50 kilometers (31 miles) above the Earth’s surface and extends to 80 kilometers (50 miles).

25. Mesosphere
As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases.
Temperatures at the top of this layer can drop to -90°C (- 130°F ).

26. Mesosphere Interestingly, this layer also protects the Earth.
Meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.

27. Thermosphere
The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.

28. Thermosphere
It begins at 80 km (50 miles) above the Earth and extends outward into space.
Sometimes the thermosphere and exosphere are listed as separate layers.

29. Thermosphere
The higher you move in this layer, the higher the temperature.
Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800°C (3,300°F)!

30. Thermosphere
The beautiful colors of the aurora borealis or northern lights occur in this atmospheric layer.

31. Thermosphere
This is also where the space shuttle orbits the Earth!

32. Thermosphere

33. Thermosphere
The ionosphere is found at the bottom of the thermosphere (close to the mesosphere).
The exosphere is located at the top of the thermosphere.

38. Mr. Lee’s Layers of the Atmosphere Song

39. The Earth’s Atmosphere: Atmospheric Layers
Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics. These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere. Let’s find out where these layers are located in relation to the Earth’s surface and how they are affected by temperature.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere that lies next to the Earth’s surface. Most of the air that makes up the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. It extends to about 14 kilometers above the Earth and is where virtually all weather takes place. As you move up into the troposphere the temperature decreases. At the top of this layer the air temperature is about - 60°C.
The stratosphere begins at the top of the troposphere and extends to about 50 kilometers above the surface of the Earth. As you move up into the stratosphere the air temperature actually increases. This occurs because of ozone. Ozone is a gas that absorbs solar radiation and releases it as heat.
The mesosphere begins at about 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface and extends to 80 kilometers. As you move up into the mesosphere, the air temperature decreases. Temperatures at the top of this layer can drop to -90°C. Interestingly, this layer also protects the Earth. Meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere usually burn up in the mesosphere.
The thermosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It begins at 80 kilometers above the Earth and extends outward into space. The higher you move in this layer, the higher the temperature. Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach 1,800°C! The beautiful colors of the aurora borealis or northern lights occur in this atmospheric layer. This is also where the space shuttle orbits the Earth!

41. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers.
The Earth’s atmosphere has LAYERS!
Earth’s atmosphere is made up of layers that have distinct characteristics.