Atmosphere and its Layers

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into layers, each with its own specific characteristics. The exosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere are the layers that rise above ground level. The exosphere collapses into an interplanetary space over time. The atmosphere maintains the temperature on the surface of the earth. After all, it contains air, which is a poor heat conductor because its molecules are not in constant contact with one another.

Troposphere

The troposphere rises to a height of roughly 10 kilometres (6.2 miles or 33,000 feet) above sea level from the ground. We dwell in the troposphere, which is also where practically all of the weather takes place. Most clouds originate in the troposphere, which contains 99 percent of the water vapour in the atmosphere. Air pressure and temperatures drop as you climb higher in the troposphere.

Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the layer after the aforementioned one. The stratosphere exists from the top of the troposphere to roughly 50 kilometres (31 miles) above the ground. The stratosphere is home to the famed ozone layer. The ozone molecules in this layer absorb and transform high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun. The stratosphere gets warmer as you move higher. Because of the rising temperature trend with height, the air in the stratosphere lacks the turbulence and updrafts that characterise the troposphere below. Commercial passenger aircrafts travel in the lower stratosphere because it is less turbulent and hence provides a more comfortable flight. The jet stream moves at the troposphere and stratosphere’s boundary.

A barometer is an instrument used to measure the temperature of the atmosphere!

Mesosphere

The mesosphere is located above the stratosphere and it may reach a height of around 85 kilometres above our planet. The mesosphere is where the majority of meteors burn up. In contrast to the stratosphere, temperatures drop as you ascend into the mesosphere. Near the top of this layer, the coldest temperatures in the Earth’s atmosphere, around -90° C (-130° F), can be found. The mesosphere’s air is considered too thin to breathe (the air pressure at the bottom of the layer is well below 1 percent of the pressure at sea level and continues dropping as you go higher).

Thermosphere

Above the mesosphere is the thermosphere, which is a layer of exceedingly rare air. The thermosphere receives the Sun’s rising X-rays and UV light, raising its temperature to millions of degrees. The air in this layer, on the other hand, is so thin that it would seem quite chilly to us! The thermosphere resembles outer space in many ways rather than being a part of the atmosphere. Many satellites circle Earth within the thermosphere! Variations in the amount of energy emitted by the Sun have a significant impact on the top of this layer’s height, as well as the temperature within it.

As a result, the thermosphere’s top can be found anywhere between 500 and 1,000 kilometres (311 to 621 miles) above the earth. Temperatures in the uppermost thermosphere can range from about 500°C to 2,000°C or more. The Northern and Southern Lights are auroras that occur in the thermosphere.

Exosphere

Although some specialists believe that the thermosphere is nothing but the topmost atmospheric layer, others believe that the exosphere is the true “final frontier” of Earth’s gaseous envelope. The “air” in the exosphere is, as one might expect, extremely thin, making this layer much more space-like than the thermosphere. The air in the exosphere is constantly “leaking” out of Earth’s atmosphere into space, albeit slowly. The exosphere has no distinct upper boundary where it finally drifts away into space. According to criteria, the top of the exosphere is believed to be between 100,000 km and 190,000 km above Surface of the planet. The latter estimate corresponds to a distance of roughly halfway to the Moon!

Ionosphere

The ionosphere, unlike the other layers of the atmosphere temperature discussed above, is not a discrete layer. The ionosphere, on the other hand, is a succession of zones in the mesosphere and thermosphere where high-energy solar radiation has thrown electrons loose from their parent atoms and molecules. Ions are electrically charged atoms and molecules that develop in this way, giving the ionosphere its name and endowing it with some unique characteristics.

Conclusion

The atmosphere of the Earth is all around us. It is taken for granted by the majority of individuals. But we are making a grave mistake. The atmosphere protects us from harmful UV radiations, among other things. As discussed, the barometer is the instrument used to measure the temperature of the atmosphere. It keeps the globe warm and ensures that we have enough oxygen to breathe. In reality, Earth’s atmosphere is what makes it a habitable, lovable home and precious home.