Atmosphere Composition and Structure

Vocabulary flashcards covering the composition, physical structure, and specific layers of the Earth's atmosphere based on lecture notes.

Approximate thickness of the atmosphere

The atmosphere extends up to approximately $1,600\,km$ above the surface of the Earth.

Atmospheric Mass Distribution ($50\%$)

About $50\%$ of the total mass of the atmosphere lies within a height of $6\,km$ from the Earth's surface.

Atmospheric Mass Distribution ($99\%$)

About $99\%$ of the total mass of the atmosphere lies within a height of $32\,km$ from the Earth's surface.

Layers of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided into five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

Atmosphere Composition (Nitrogen)

Nitrogen makes up $78\%$ of the atmosphere.

Atmosphere Composition (Oxygen)

Oxygen makes up $21\%$ of the atmosphere.

Troposphere

The lowest and densest layer of the atmosphere where all weather phenomena such as clouds, rainfall, and storms occur.

Troposphere height at the poles

It extends to a height of about $8\,km$ at the poles.

Troposphere height at the Equator

It extends to a height of about $18\,km$ at the Equator.

Normal lapse rate

The rate at which the temperature of air decreases with an increase in height in the troposphere, which is $1^\circ C$ for every $165\,m$..

Stratosphere features

Contains the Ozone sphere and is the layer where Aeroplanes fly; it extends up to $50\,km$.

Mesosphere Temperature

The layer where temperature decreases with height, reaching approximately $-100^\circ C$.

Thermosphere (Ionosphere)

A layer where the temperature is above $1,000^\circ C$ and which reflects Radiowaves.

Atmospheric Density

The density is maximum near the Earth's surface and becomes increasingly rarefied farther away.