Earth's Atmosphere

atmosphere

the mixture of gases that surrounds Earth

stratosphere

the layer of the atmosphere that is above the troposphere. Temperature increases with higher altitude. Contains the ozone layer

mesosphere

the layer of the atmosphere between the stratosphere and thermosphere. Temperature decreases with higher altitude. This is where meteors burn up.

troposphere

The lowest layer of the atmosphere; contains weather. Temperature decreases with higher altitude.

ionosphere

the lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found

ozone

a form of oxygen gas inside the stratosphere, absorbs ultraviolet rays from the sun and then releases some of this energy in the form of heat.

ozone layer

Layer of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone; absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation

thermosphere

the region of the atmosphere above the mesosphere and below the exosphere. The thermosphere is characterized throughout by an increase in temperature with height.

exosphere

The outer layer of the atmosphere, extending outward into space.

altitude

height above sea level or the earth's surface

Air pressure

the pressure caused by the weight of a column of air pushing down on an area; air pressure decreases as altitude increases

temperature

a measure of how hot or cold something is; the average kinetic energy of its particles; air temperature increases or decreases with altitude in each layer

nitrogen

78% of Earth's atmosphere

oxygen

21% of Earth's atmosphere

electromagnetic spectrum

a range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. It's like a spectrum of different "kinds" of light, each with a different wavelength and frequency.

ultraviolet radiation

a type of electromagnetic radiation that has wavelengths which are a little shorter than the wavelengths of violet colored visible light. This wavelength is blocked by the ozone layer

x-rays

a form of electromagnetic radiation, like light, but with more energy. This wavelength is blocked by the ionosphere.

density

Mass per unit volume; the measure of how compact an object is