Earth Science

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding the Earth that supports life and controls weather and climate.

Atmospheric Composition

The mixture of gases that make up the atmosphere.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

A minor gas used by plants for photosynthesis and helps trap heat in the atmosphere.

Trace Gases

Gases present in very small amounts such as neon, helium, methane, krypton, and hydrogen.

Troposphere

The lowest atmospheric layer where weather occurs and temperature decreases with altitude.

Stratosphere

The layer that contains the ozone layer and has an increasing temperature with height.

Mesosphere

The coldest atmospheric layer where meteors burn up.

Thermosphere

A very hot but thin layer where auroras occur and the International Space Station orbits.

Ionosphere

A region with charged particles that reflects radio waves and produces auroras.

Exosphere

The outermost region where the atmosphere gradually fades into outer space and satellites orbit.