Transcript Introduction to the Atmosphere

Introduction to the
Atmosphere
The air around us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaikvaAw2nk&feature=related
Surface of Earth
There are 4 layers on Earth’s surface:
1. Lithosphere: solid, rocky crust covering
Earth
2. Hydrosphere: all water on Earth
3. Atmosphere: the air that surrounds Earth
4. Biosphere: composed of all living
organisms
What is the atmosphere?
It controls temperature, protects us
from harmful ultraviolet rays from
the sun, and supports life.
Composition of the Atmosphere



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The majority of the
composition of the
atmosphere is:
21% OXYGEN (O2)
78% NITROGEN (N2)
0.04% CARBON
DIOXIDE(CO2)
~0.9% ARGON (Ar)
Layers of the Atmosphere
The Troposphere

Troposphere: The
closest layer to Earth.

Weather and clouds
occur in here.

The temperature
generally decreases
as altitude
increases.
The Stratosphere
The earth's ozone
layer (absorbs
ultraviolet rays) is
located here.
Aircrafts fly in this
layer, too.
The Troposphere vs. the
Stratosphere
The Mesosphere

Meteors burn up
while entering this
layer.

Temperatures drop
with increasing
altitude
The Thermosphere
 Air particles in this
layer are electrically
charged enabling
radio waves.
 Temperature
increases with
altitude.
Northern lights (aurora) is
formed in this layer too.