ATMOSPHERE #3

Earth's Atmosphere is: A mixture of gases with some suspended solids and liquids.                   Three common solids in atmosphere: Ice Dust Salt - from ocean spray Gas Composition of Earth's atmosphere:  Nitrogen - 78% of atmosphere Oxygen - 21% of atmosphere Trace gases - 1% - Neon, Helium, Hydrogen, Methane, Carbon Dioxide Formation of the Atmosphere: The Earth's atmosphere was formed by planetary degassing, a process in which gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen were released from the interior of the Earth from volcanoes and other processes.

Structure of the Earth's atmosphere: (From the ground out to space.)

Troposphere- approx. ground to 10 kilometers (approx 7 miles up)   The closest layer to the Earth. Contains 75% of our atmospheres gases Weather clouds and smog occur in the troposphere Stratosphere - approximately 10 km - 45 km up (approx 7miles-30miles) The ozone layer is located here the jet stream is located here Little or no water vapor here Mesosphere - approximately 45 km -95 km up (30 - 50 miles up) the coldest part of the atmosphere Thermosphere - approximately 95 km -to 500 km (50 miles and up) Warmest layer of the atmosphere. lower layer of thermosphere is called the IONOSPHERE Ionosphere made of electronically charged particles. reflects radio waves In the daytime this layer interferes with radio waves since suns energy charges the particles to much and causes problems a lot of static. At night it is less charged. This is why it is easier to hear AM radio late at night Exosphere - approximantly 500 kilometers and beyond Outer most layer of our atmosphere Very very few air molecules in this layer No clear boundary between this layer and space