1. Atmospheric Layers

2. 4 Layers
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesopshere
Thermosphere

3. We live in this atmospheric layer
Troposphere
Lowest layer
Densest layer
Varying temperatures
90% of atmosphere’s mass
We live in this atmospheric layer

4. Stratosphere
Gases mix less than troposphere
Air is thin
Contains little moisture/very dry
Lower stratosphere is very cold (-60 degrees C)
Temperature rises as altitude increases b/c the ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and warms the air.

5. Ozone
This is not one of the atmospheric layers but is a layer within the upper stratosphere
It protects humans from burning up or getting skin cancer
This is what causes the higher temps at higher altitudes in Stratosphere
It is also part of the lower Mesosphere

6. Lies above stratosphere
Mesosphere
Lies above stratosphere
Coldest layer (-93 degress C) at the top of the layer
Temperature decreases as altitude increases( like troposphere)

7. Temperature increases as altitude increases
Thermosphere
Uppermost layer
Temperature increases as altitude increases
Nitrogen and Oxygen absorb high-energy solar radiation and releases thermal energy.

8. Thermosphere Hottest layer (1000 degrees C or higher).
Does not feel “hot” because although temps are high, the particles have greater spaces between them, so they do not transfer thermal energy. This makes it feel cooler because the particles do not collide and transfer energy
Ionosphere is a layer within the thermosphere

9. Ionosphere
Not one of the 4 layers BUT it’s a layer within to layers: mesosphere and thermosphere
Absorbs solar energy
As temps rise, gas particles become electrically charged (ions)
Auroras occur at the polar regions (Northern Lights)
Reflects AM radio waves which bounce off the ionosphere and are sent back to Earth

10. Exosphere
According to some texts, this is considered the outermost layer
It’s considered “outer space”
Few atmospheric molecules which escape into space
Meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere in the exosphere
Because the exosphere is so hot, meteors burn up before entering other layers

11. Atmospheric Boundaries
Tropopause-above the troposphere
Stratopause-above the stratosphere
Mesopause-above mesosphere
Thermopause-above thermosphere
At these pauses, maximum changes between the “spheres” occur

12. Atmospheric Layers and vehicles that go to each layer:
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA