Layers of Atmosphere - Definition, Examples, Quiz, FAQ, Trivia
Discover the invisible blanket that protects our planet and makes life possible!
What is the Atmosphere?
The atmosphere is like a giant invisible blanket that wraps around our planet. It's made up of different gases that surround Earth, held in place by gravity. This protective layer is essential for all life on Earth!
Without our atmosphere, Earth would be a very different place. It keeps our planet warm, protects us from harmful space radiation, and provides the air we breathe. Think of it as Earth's protective shield!
Science Fact!
Earth's atmosphere is about 300 miles thick, but 75% of its mass is within just 7 miles of the surface!
What's Air Made Of?
The air we breathe is a mixture of different gases. The atmosphere isn't just "air" - it's a carefully balanced recipe of gases that makes life possible:
Nitrogen
The most common gas, important for plants
Oxygen
Essential for animals to breathe
Other Gases
Argon, carbon dioxide, neon, and others
This mixture has been stable for millions of years, allowing life to develop and thrive. The small amount of carbon dioxide (only 0.04%) is especially important because it helps keep Earth warm and is used by plants during photosynthesis.
Layers of the Atmosphere
Our atmosphere is divided into five main layers, each with its own special characteristics. As we go higher, the air gets thinner and the temperature changes in different ways:
Troposphere
Where weather happens and we live. Temperature decreases as you go higher.
0-12 km (0-7 miles)
Stratosphere
Contains the ozone layer that protects us. Temperature increases with height.
12-50 km (7-31 miles)
Mesosphere
Meteors burn up here. Coldest layer of the atmosphere.
50-85 km (31-53 miles)
Thermosphere
Space shuttles and satellites orbit here. Very hot but feels cold.
85-600 km (53-372 miles)
Exosphere
Outermost layer where atmosphere merges with space.
600-10,000 km (372-6,200 miles)
Each layer plays a special role in protecting Earth and making life possible. The boundaries between layers are called "pauses" - like the tropopause between troposphere and stratosphere.
The Ozone Layer
High up in the stratosphere, there's a special layer called the ozone layer. This layer contains a gas called ozone (O₃) that acts like Earth's sunscreen, absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The ozone layer is incredibly important because without it, too much UV radiation would reach Earth's surface. This could cause skin cancer, harm plants and animals, and disrupt ecosystems.
Good News!
Since the world banned harmful CFC chemicals in 1987, the ozone layer has been slowly healing itself!
Atmospheric Pressure
Air might seem weightless, but it actually has weight! The atmosphere presses down on Earth's surface with a force called atmospheric pressure. At sea level, this pressure is about 14.7 pounds per square inch - that's like having a small car pressing on your desk!
As you go higher in the atmosphere, there's less air above you pressing down, so atmospheric pressure decreases. This is why your ears pop when you drive up a mountain or fly in an airplane.
Sea Level
Highest pressure: 1013 hPa (hectopascals)
Mount Everest
About 1/3 of sea level pressure
Jet Altitude
About 1/4 of sea level pressure
Space
Almost no atmospheric pressure
Atmosphere Quiz
Test your atmosphere knowledge with this quiz! Answer all 5 questions to see how much you've learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Earth's atmosphere:
Science Trivia
Discover some amazing facts about Earth's atmosphere!
Space is Closer Than You Think
The boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space is called the Kármán line, only 100 km (62 miles) above sea level. If you could drive straight up, you'd reach space in less than an hour!
Heavy Atmosphere
The total weight of Earth's atmosphere is about 5.5 quadrillion tons! That's equivalent to the weight of 5.5 billion Empire State Buildings.
Floating Water
The atmosphere contains about 3,100 cubic miles of water in the form of invisible vapor. If all this water fell as rain at once, it would cover the entire Earth with about 1 inch of water.
Electric Atmosphere
Lightning strikes Earth about 100 times every second. That's 8.6 million strikes per day! The atmosphere protects us from these powerful electrical discharges.
