Download Layers of the Atmosphere

Name
Date
Weather and Climate
Topic
Class/Subject
Chapter 1, Section 3 (pg 16-21)
Layers of the Atmosphere
What are the 4 main
layers of the atmosphere
and how are they
classified?
The layers of the atmosphere:
1. troposphere
2. stratosphere
3. mesosphere
4. thermosphere
They are classified according to changes is temperature.
Describe the
characteristics of the
troposphere.
The troposphere is the layer of Earth’s atmosphere where:
1. the weather occurs.
2. we live.
3. almost all mass of the atmosphere occurs.
The troposphere is 9-16 km in depth and as altitude increases,
temperature decreases.
Describe the
characteristics of the
stratosphere.
Characteristics of the stratosphere:
1. the second layer of the atmosphere
2. contains the ozone layer
3. extends from the troposphere up to approx. 50 km
4. upper stratosphere is warmer than lower because of
presence of ozone layer in the middle
In the stratosphere, as altitude increases, temperature increases.
Describe the
characteristics of the
mesosphere.
Characteristics of the mesosphere:
1. extends from approx. 50 km to approx. 80 km
2. protects Earth’s surface from being hit by most meteoroids
In the mesosphere, as altitude increases, temperature
decreases.
Describe the
characteristics of the
thermosphere.
Characteristics of the thermosphere:
1. the outermost layer of the atmosphere
2. extends from 80 km out into space
3. air is very thin
4. extremely high temperature, but you wouldn’t feel it
5. divided into the ionosphere and the exosphere
In the thermosphere, as altitude increases, temperature
increases.
What is the ionosphere?
The ionosphere is located in the lower layer of the thermosphere.
Energy from the sun causes gas molecules to become
electrically charged particles called ions. Radio waves bounce of
the ions back to Earth’s surface. Brilliant light displays, called
auroras, occur in the ionosphere.
Summary
Scientists divide Earth’s atmosphere into 4 main layers classified according
to changes in temperature. These layers are the troposphere, the
stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere. The troposphere is
the layer of the atmosphere in which Earth’s weather occurs. The
stratosphere is the 2nd layer of the atmosphere and contains the ozone layer.
The mesosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that protects Earth’s surface
from being hit by most meteoroids. The outermost layer of Earth’s
atmosphere is the thermosphere.