Science & Geo : Layers of the earths atmosphere

Troposphere :

  • lowest atmosphere

  • where weather accures

  • extends out to 4-10 miles

  • tempreture decreases with increase of altitude

  • (altitude means height of object / how far it is from the ground)

stratosphere :

  • 2nd lowest layer of the atmosphere

  • the temperature rises with the increase of altitude

  • u will find the ozone layer here

  • (the ozone layer helps absorb the harmful UV rays from the sun)

  • is free of all weather disturbances

  • extends to about 30-35 miles above the earths surface

mesosphere :

  • where most meteors burn when entering

  • stretches up to 50 miles above earths surface

  • the meteors make it through the exosphere and thermosphere bc those layers dont have much air but there are enough gases to cause friction and create heat

thermosphere :

  • air is very thin here

  • temp gets extremely hot here

  • extends up to 400 miles above the earths surface

  • the lower part of this surface contains the ionosphere

  • the ions in the ionosphere help to transmit radio waves

  • many atoms are ionized there

  • you can also find electrical charge in the ionosphere

  • The temperature of the thermosphere increases with height due to absorption of solar radiation within the ionosphere

  • ions are atoms that contain an uneven number of protons and electrons which result in an overall positive and negative charge

  • Ions in the ionosphere help transmit radio waves that where transmitted from the earth

  • High Frequency (HF) radio waves hitting the free electrons in the ionosphere cause them to vibrate and re-radiate the energy back down at the same frequency

exosphere :

  • last layer

  • air is quite thin

  • goes al the way up to 6200 miles above the earths surface