1. Earth’s ATMOSPHERE
August 30, 2016

2. Atmosphere A layer of gases that surrounds the planet
Makes conditions suitable for life on Earth
Divided into several atmospheric layers extending from the Earth’s surface outward
Temperature differences separate the layers
Temperature decreases as the altitude increases

3. AIR PRESSURE
Force exerted by the gases pushing on an object is greatest near the surface of the Earth
Air pressure decreases through the layers farther out from the surface as Earth’s pull of gravity decreases

4. THE TROPOSPHERE
The lowest layer of atmosphere that extends from the surface of the earth up to 6-20km high
where air planes fly, and Earth’s weather and clouds occurs
Air pressure is greatest here
Water vapor & carbon dioxide are found which are important to weather conditions

5. THE STRATOSPHERE Contains the Ozone layer Ozone is a form of oxygen
Cold throughout the layer except in the upper region (ozone)
Extends from 20km up to 50km

6. THE MESOSPHERE Middle layer Coldest layer
Meteors burn up in this layer
Extends from 50km up to 85km

7. THE THERMOSPHERE Warmest layer Temperature increases it extends out
Air is very thin
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) occur in the lower part of this layer
Extends from 86km up to 690km

8. THE EXOSPHERE The outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere
Cold temperature of outer space
Satellites orbit the Earth within this layer.
Extends from 691km up to 10,000km

9. THE ATMOSPHERIC GASES OXYGEN & NITROGEN 2 most common gases
Found throughout all the layers
Ozone is a form of oxygen
TRACE GASES
Some examples are argon, krypton, helium
Are not significant in the atmosphere
% of gases