1. Layers of Air About how high is the troposphere? tropo- strato- meso-
Earth
125km
250km
375km
500km
About how high is the troposphere?
tropo-
strato-
meso-
thermo-

2. Now draw the Thermosphere waaaaaaaaaaaay out there!
Every time you breathe…
I’m kinda lonely!
you take in this much Nitrogen…
Now draw the Thermosphere waaaaaaaaaaaay out there!
and this much Oxygen…
125km
tropo-
# of Particles
strato- N
(78%) O
(21%)
Other
(1%) 80
tropo- 62 17 1 14
strato- 11 3 5
meso- 4 1
meso- 1 1
thermo-

3. Let’s see if any of this makes sense
Air pressure is really just a measure of how many particles are bumping against something.
So, higher pressure occurs when you’re bumped more/less often.
more
Compare the air pressure in the troposphere with that of the thermosphere.
Some say that at earth’s surface we live at the bottom of an ocean of atmosphere. What do you think this means?