Earth’s Atmosphere

Layers of the
Atmosphere
• The atmosphere has
four layers:
– Thermosphere
– Mesosphere
– Stratosphere
– Troposphere
 Earth’s
Atmosphere
 Layers of the
Atmosphere
The four layers of the atmosphere
include:
1. the troposphere, where we
live;
2. the stratosphere, which
contains the ozone layer;
3. the mesosphere, where
meteors burn; and
4. the thermosphere, where
satellites orbit Earth.
5. the exosphere, (not really
included) where the outermost
atmospheric layer
Layers of the Atmosphere
Did you know that The Science
Monkey’s Took Evan?

Say it with
me…
• The
• Science
• Monkey’s
• Took
• Evan
 I know you are thinking…what is he
talking about???
• The • Troposphere
• Science • Stratosphere
• Monkey’s • Mesosphere
• Took • Thermosphere
• Exosphere
• Evan

• THE FIVE LAYERS OF

• MEANS…. THE EARTH’S
ATMOSPHERE FROM
THE EARTH OUT!
 Essential Questions

1.What are the four main layers

of the atmosphere?
2.What are the characteristics
of each layer?
Earth’s atmosphere is divided into
four main layers based upon
changes in temperature.
Layers of the
atmosphere
 Layers of Distance from Temperature Objects found and
Atmosphere Earth in km other
characteristics
Troposphere 16-17 km 6 to 8 degrees Where we live in,
climate and
weather, clouds
Stratosphere Up to 50 km -20 degrees Ozone layer,
airplanes

Mesosphere 50-80 km -120 degrees Meteors and

meteorites

Thermosphere 480 km 1,500 degrees Radio waves,

electric charges,
Aurora Borealis,
space shuttle
Exosphere 2, 400 km 2,200 degrees Satellites
 Other existing layer
Ionosphere- the lower part of
Thermosphere

Ozonosphere- (ozone layer) protects the surface

from the Sun’s UV rays

Magnetosphere- Earths magnetic field

 Troposphere
• Lowest layer of the atmosphere (closest to Earth)
• You live here
• Tropo means turning or changing (there is more
change in this layer than any other)
• Weather occurs here
• Shallowest layer (thinnest)
• Contains almost all the mass of the atmosphere
• It is 16 km thick at equator and less than 9 km
thick at poles
• As altitude increases, temperature decreases
• At the top, temp is about -60 ̊C. Water here forms
clouds of ice
 Stratosphere
• Second layer of the atmosphere
• Reaches from troposphere to about 50 km above
surface of Earth
• Strato means layer or spread out
• Ozone layer is here (remember it protects living
things from ultraviolet radiation from Sun)
• Jets often fly here because it is calm
• As altitude increases, temperature increases
(because ozone layer absorbs heat)
 Mesosphere
• Third layer
• Meso means middle
• Reaches from 50 km to 80 km above Earth’s
surface
• Protects Earth’s surface from being hit by
meteoroids (chunks of stone and metal from
space – but some still get through)
• A shooting star is a trail of hot, glowing gases a
meteoroid leaves behind in the mesosphere
• Coldest layer - Temperatures reach – 90 ̊C at the
top of the mesosphere
• As altitude increases, temperature decreases
 Asteroid
grazing
Earth’s
atmosphere
 Thermosphere
• Outermost layer of our atmosphere
• Reaches from 80 km above Earth’s surface into
outer space. There is no definite upper limit
• Thermo means heat
• Thickest layer
• Hottest layer, temperatures reach up to 1,800 ̊C,
but you would not feel warm here
• As altitude increases, temperature increases
• Has two other layers
 Ionosphere
• Lower layer of the Thermosphere
• Reaches from about 80 km to 400 km above
Earth’s surface
• Energy from the sun causes gas molecules
here to become electrically charged particles
• Radio waves bounce off ions back to Earth
(makes signals travel much farther at night)
• Auroras happen near the poles because of the
ionosphere – these are brilliant streaks of light
in night skies
 Exosphere
• Exo means outer
• Is the outer portion of the thermosphere
• Reaches from about 400 km outward for
thousands of kilometers
• Space shuttles and satellites orbit Earth here
 Remember:
• Earth’s atmosphere is
divided into four main
layers based upon changes
in temperature.
- Layers of the Atmosphere
Can you pick out what might be the layers?
 Review Quiz
1. List the four main layers of the atmosphere in
order from the surface of Earth.
2. What is the hottest layer of the atmosphere?
3. What layer do you live in?
4. What layer contains ozone layer?
5. List down the other existing layer of atmosphere
6. What do YOU think is the most important layer
and why?
 Quiz (continued)
3. What layer do you live in?
a. Troposphere b. Stratosphere
c. Mesosphere d. Thermosphere

4. What layer contains the ozone layer?

a. Troposphere b. Stratosphere
c. Mesosphere d. Thermosphere
 Ch12 S3: Essential Questions
Answered

1.What are the four main layers

of the atmosphere?

Troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere
2. What are the characteristics of
each layer?
Troposphere: weather happens here, we
live here, thinnest layer, lowest layer.
Stratosphere: ozone layer and jet stream
are here.
Mesosphere: coldest layer, shooting
stars happen here.
Thermosphere: thickest, hottest layer.