The Atmosphere A Vital Blanket

The Atmosphere:
A Vital Blanket
The atmosphere, that invisible veil surrounding our planet, is far

more than just air. It's a dynamic system, a complex mixture of
gases, essential for life and playing a critical role in shaping the
Earth's climate and weather patterns. From the air we breathe to
the protection it provides from the harshness of space, the
atmosphere is a fundamental component of our existence.
by Yuvraj Gupta
Composition of the Atmosphere
1 Nitrogen
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere. It is essential for plant
growth and is a key component of proteins.
2 Oxygen
Oxygen, which makes up about 21% of the atmosphere, is essential for
respiration in animals and plants.
3 Argon
Argon is the third most abundant gas in the atmosphere. It is an inert gas and
has no known biological function.
4 Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that plays a role in regulating Earth's
temperature. It also is used by plants in photosynthesis.
Layers of the Atmosphere
1 Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the surface to about 10
kilometers (6 miles) high. It contains most of the atmospheric mass and is where weather occurs.
2 Stratosphere
The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 50 kilometers (31 miles) high.
It is home to the ozone layer, which protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
3 Mesosphere
The mesosphere extends from the top of the stratosphere to about 80 kilometers (50 miles) high.
It's where most meteors burn up.
4 Thermosphere
The thermosphere extends from the top of the mesosphere to about 600 kilometers (373 miles)
high. This layer is characterized by very high temperatures due to absorption of solar radiation.
5 Exosphere
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, extending from the top of the
Troposphere
Temperature Weather Air Density
The temperature in the All the weather phenomena Air density is highest at the
troposphere decreases with we experience, including rain, bottom of the troposphere, as
altitude, a phenomenon snow, wind, and storms, it is compressed by the
known as the lapse rate. This occur in the troposphere. weight of the air above. This
is due to the fact that the density decreases with
troposphere is heated from altitude.
below by the Earth's surface.
Stratosphere
Ozone Layer
The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the
Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting life on Earth from its
damaging effects. This absorption process causes the temperature to
increase with altitude.
Stable Conditions
The stratosphere is generally very stable, with little vertical mixing of air.
This stability is due to the temperature inversion, where temperatures
increase with altitude.
High-Altitude Flights
Many commercial airplanes fly in the lower part of the stratosphere to
avoid turbulence and weather conditions prevalent in the troposphere.
Mesosphere
Temperature Decrease
The temperature in the mesosphere decreases with altitude again, reaching a minimum of about -
90°C (-130°F). This is due to the absence of ozone to absorb UV radiation.
Meteors Burn Up
The mesosphere is where most meteors burn up as they enter Earth's atmosphere. The friction
from the air heats the meteors to a point of incandescence, creating shooting stars.
Noctilucent Clouds
Noctilucent clouds, sometimes called "night-shining clouds," are rare clouds found in the upper
mesosphere. They are visible only at high latitudes during twilight.
Thermosphere
Characteristic Description
Temperature Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach up to

1,500°C (2,732°F), but this is not the true "heat"
we experience on Earth. The air is extremely thin,
and particles are spread far apart.
Auroras The aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and aurora

australis (Southern Lights) are stunning displays of
light that occur in the thermosphere, caused by
charged particles from the sun interacting with the
Earth's magnetic field.
Radio Waves The thermosphere is important for long-distance
radio communication because it can reflect radio
waves back to Earth.
Exosphere
Thin Air
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the atmosphere, where the air is
extremely thin, with very few particles.
Satellites and Spacecraft

Many satellites orbit the Earth in the exosphere, taking advantage of the thin
air and low gravity to stay in orbit.
Transition to Space
The exosphere gradually merges with outer space, with no clear boundary
between the two.
Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature
1 Pressure Decreases with Altitude 2 Temperature Varies with Layer

Temperature varies with altitude, increasing in
As altitude increases, the weight of the air some layers (stratosphere, thermosphere) and
above decreases, resulting in a decrease in decreasing in others (troposphere,
atmospheric pressure. mesosphere).
Importance of the Atmosphere
Protection from Radiation Climate Regulation Life Support

The atmosphere plays a crucial The atmosphere provides the
The atmosphere shields us from role in regulating Earth's oxygen we breathe, the carbon
harmful solar radiation, temperature and climate. It traps dioxide plants use for
particularly ultraviolet (UV) rays, heat from the sun, creating a photosynthesis, and the nitrogen
which can damage DNA and greenhouse effect that keeps the essential for plant growth. It also
cause skin cancer. This protection planet warm enough for life to helps to regulate the water cycle,
is provided mainly by the ozone thrive. providing essential rainfall for
layer in the stratosphere. ecosystems.

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The Atmosphere A Vital Blanket

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The Atmosphere:

The atmosphere, that invisible veil surrounding our planet, is far

Temperature Temperatures in the thermosphere can reach up to

Auroras The aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and aurora

Satellites and Spacecraft

1 Pressure Decreases with Altitude 2 Temperature Varies with Layer

Protection from Radiation Climate Regulation Life Support

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