1. Layers of the Atmosphere

2. Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the blanket of gases that surrounds the Earth
Composition:
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
1% other gases such as Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor and Ozone

3. Atmosphere The atmosphere is divided up into 4 different layers:
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

5. Troposphere(approx. 0 – 10 km)
Contains most of the mass of the atmosphere
Most weather takes place in the troposphere
Temperature decreases (15 C (57F)  -40 C/
(-40F))
Has the greatest air density
The top of the troposphere is called the tropopause

7. Stratosphere (approx. 10-50 km)
Air density decreases
Airplanes fly in this layer (to avoid weather)
Temperature increases with increasing altitude (-40 C (-40 F)  -3 C (27F))
Contains the Ozone Layer
Stratopause

8. Ozone Ozone (O3) – A gas in the stratosphere that blocks UV radiation
CFC’s (a form of pollution) can deplete ozone

9. Mesosphere (approx. 50 – 90 km)
Temperature decreases (-3 C (27 F)  -90 C (-130 F))
Meteors from outer space burn up in this layer
The Mesopause is the coldest part of the atmosphere

10. Thermosphere (approx. 90 km – 500 km)
Has the greatest temperature range ( -90 C (-130 F)  2000 C (3632 F))
Because gases are spaced so far apart
Has low air density
Contains the Ionosphere – Region where gases are ionized by the suns energy

11. The Exosphere ( approx. 500 km – Outer Space)
The upper portion of the Thermosphere where gases escape into outer space
Has the lowest air density
Contains lighter gases such as hydrogen and helium