From the air we breathe to the weather we experience every day, a lot of things on our planet are influenced by the earth’s atmosphere.The atmosphere can be better understood when you understand the five different layers that make it. Each of these layers has a specific role to play.Here are a few quick facts about the earth’s atmosphere. There are five main layers. Life on earth is possible because of the unique composition of the atmosphere. As Earth is the third planet closest to the sun, it is the atmosphere that protects life on earth from the harmful radiation of the sun. The atmosphere is also key in maintaining an optimal life-sustaining temperature on the earth’s surface. It is a complex combination of different gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others that are essential for life on this planet. It is believed that the current composition of the atmosphere resulted from the Great Oxygenation Event that took place billions of years ago. This was when oxygen entered the earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, the atmosphere is very important and any damage to it can result in adverse changes in surface temperature. Air pollution takes a toll on the atmosphere, and this results in global warming. To understand several other such facts about the atmosphere, it is important to know about each of these layers.The atmosphere gives us many seasons that we eenjoy,and also the air we breathe. Due to the atmosphere, water vapor turns into clouds and makes rain possible on our planet. It acts as a shield between the Earth and outer space and protects living beings from the harsh rays of the sun. On the whole, this protective mass of gases is an interesting subject to learn about.Once you finish checking out these facts on the earth’s atmosphere, why not check out other interesting articles on the Andromeda galaxy from earth and facts about the earth’s crust here at Kidadl.Stratification In Earth’s AtmosphereThe earth’s entire atmosphere expands far beyond what your eyes can see. It is around 300 mi ( 428.8 km) thick and made of different types of gases. It also varies in temperature at different heights. The total height of the atmosphere is said to be around 6,214 mi (10000.5 km) above sea level. The outer sections are thin and nearly indistinguishable from space.The earth’s atmosphere is broadly stratified into five different layers. There are a few secondary layers as well. These layers are not rigidly defined with solid boundaries. They fade into each other. The final section slowly disappears beyond the planet’s atmospheric reach.The exosphere is the outermost and highest layer of the atmosphere. This one extends into space, almost close to the moon.Then comes the thermosphere. This is where Earth’s artificial satellites orbit the planet. This is also the layer that helps in preventing skin cancers by absorbing the UV rays of the sun and preventing this radiation from affecting life on earth.The third layer from the top is the mesosphere. This one is cold and causes meteors to burn up.The Stratosphere is the fourth layer from the top. This is the layer that comprises the ozone layer, which traps heat and blocks UV rays. This is also where most jet planes fly. It is a relatively thin layer, but the pressure levels are more or less stable.The lowest layer, or the fifth layer, is the troposphere. This is the layer closest to the ground. This is the layer that greatly impacts the weather on Earth.Individually, these layers might not be significant. But together, they manage to create a gaseous composition that makes the Earth different from other planets. All these layers are composed of different types of gases. Earth’s gravity ensures that the atmosphere remains intact. This is also how the Earth’s air pressure is maintained at optimal levels.Exosphere In Earth’s AtmosphereThe exosphere is the outermost layer that separates the earth’s atmosphere from outer space. This uppermost layer is also the thickest and coldest layer. It is mostly comprised of gases such as helium and hydrogen.Unlike the other layers, the impact of the Earth’s gravity is the least on the exosphere. This is the reason why most gases in this layer are loose masses of helium and hydrogen molecules that disperse into outer space. This layer provides basic protection against most meteors and outer space debris.One interesting phenomenon that occurs in this layer is the geocorona region. This is when the hydrogen molecules in this layer scatter the UV rays and cause a subtle glow.Some scientists are of the opinion that the exosphere is a part of outer space as it does not have a clearly defined boundary. But others believe that this is the exoskeleton or the outermost layer of the atmosphere.Some satellites are also present in the exosphere. The slight pull caused by the mild air pressure of the gases in this layer is enough to allow the satellites to orbit.Thermosphere In Earth’s AtmosphereThe next layer below the exosphere is the thermosphere. In the thermosphere, temperatures increase with height. The part of the thermosphere that is closest to the earth, which is the section directly above the mesosphere, is the coldest section of this layer.Considering the earth’s position in the solar system, the topmost region in the thermosphere experiences the maximum heat from the sun. This is, therefore, the hottest layer of the atmosphere. Temperatures are believed to reach around 4500 °F (2482.2 °C) in some parts of the thermosphere. Space stations and orbiting artificial satellites are found in this layer.Mesosphere In Earth’s AtmosphereJust below the thermosphere is the mesosphere. The name mesosphere is derived from the word ‘meso’ meaning middle. There are no distinct sections of gases here. Instead, you will find an irregular composition.The mesosphere is known for its exceptionally cold temperatures and very low air pressure. The pressure drops with height. The mesosphere makes shooting stars visible on Earth. Meteors are commonly called ‘shooting stars’. Meteors burn up in the mesosphere because of the gaseous composition here.Scientists believe that the boundaries of the mesosphere shift slightly based on the temperature as the Earth’s surface temperature varies.One interesting phenomenon that occurs in this layer is the ice clouds or polar mesospheric clouds. Due to the cold temperatures here, water vapor molecules from the earth’s surface freeze when they reach the mesosphere and form ice clouds. This is visible in the coldest part of the mesosphere. These are the highest clouds in the atmosphere. Scientists call them noctilucent clouds.The layer that extends from the mesosphere to the thermosphere is called the ionosphere. It consists of charged particles, or ions, hence the name.Stratosphere In Earth’s AtmosphereStarting from around 6 mi (9.7 km) above sea level, the stratosphere extends up to the mesosphere, roughly 31 mi (49.9 km) above the surface.Ozone plays a crucial role in blocking harmful UV rays from solar radiation. UV rays cause skin cancers and can affect living organisms adversely. The ozone layer is part of the stratosphere. An increase in carbon dioxide and other gases can damage the ozone layer.The water vapor component of the stratosphere is very low. The stratosphere is particularly noted for its minimal turbulence. This makes it a convenient zone for many airplanes and jets to fly.In the stratosphere, the coldest part is the one closest to the earth’s surface. The temperature gets hot as the height increases. This is the region where the majority of the ozone is found. As ozone converts UV rays to heat, the upper portions of the stratosphere are hotter than the lower sections close to the troposphere.Troposphere In Earth’s AtmosphereThe next layer is the troposphere. The troposphere is that part of the atmosphere that extends from the ground level upward. Water evaporates from the surface of our planet and forms clouds in the troposphere. This is where suspended dust particles and clouds are present.Due to the clouds in this section, it plays a key role in the earth’s climatic conditions. The heat in this layer is not from the sun, but the heat radiated from the surface of our planet.The greenhouse effect on Earth, which is critical in maintaining surface temperatures, also occurs in the troposphere. This is the phenomenon that helps in trapping heat on the surface of the earth, thus preventing it from getting excessively cold and inhabitable.Gases here mainly consist of nitrogen (around 78.08%) and oxygen (around 20.95%). Traces of carbon dioxide and argon are also found here. The oxygen we breathe mainly comes from this layer. The other main element here, besides nitrogen and oxygen, is water vapor molecules.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for earth’s atmosphere facts then why not take a look at the biggest earthquake in Los Angeles or the characteristics of Earth.
From the air we breathe to the weather we experience every day, a lot of things on our planet are influenced by the earth’s atmosphere.
