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A short note on Layers of Atmosphere.

The Earth's atmosphere, or air as it is more often referred to, is a layer of gases held in place by the planet's gravity and contributing to the earth's natural overall atmosphere.

In the Earth’s atmosphere, each layer has its own unique characteristics. The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere are the names of these layers in ascending order from the earth’s surface. The exosphere disappears into interplanetary space over time.

Troposphere

Between 8 and 14 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, the troposphere (5 and 9 miles), As it is the lowest or the bottom layer of most natural phenomena like clouds, rain happens in this layer. At the equator, the bottom level of the atmosphere reaches 14 kilometres (9 miles) above the earth. It’s at its thickest there. Just 8 kilometres (5 miles) so about to separate the poles from the rest of the planet. Most of the water vapour on Earth is stored in the troposphere. A lot of clouds and weather may be seen in this area. In turbulent convection currents, water vapour and air are continually exchanged. The troposphere is also the densest layer, as expected. It accounts for up to 80% of the atmosphere’s total mass. This layer becomes colder the higher you go. Why not have a white summer? The tallest summits are bathed in the upper atmosphere. The tropopause marks the transition from the lower troposphere to the uppermost stratosphere.

Stratosphere

From 14 to 64 kilometres above the Earth’s surface (9 to about 31 miles)

Readings in just this layer rise with elevation, unlike the troposphere. Clouds seldom develop in the stratosphere because it is so dry. Ozone, which is composed of three oxygen atoms, makes up the majority of the atmosphere’s ozone. Life on Earth is shielded from the sun’s deadly UV rays at this altitude thanks to ozone. There is minimal movement in this stratum, making it very stable. In order to provide a pleasant flying experience, commercial aeroplanes often fly inside the lower atmosphere. Another reason why stratospheric material stays in the stratosphere for a long period is due to a lack of vertical movement in the upper atmosphere. Even wildfire smoke might be included in that “stuff,” which could include aerosol particles released by volcanic eruptions. Chlorofluorocarbons and other contaminants have also built up in this stratum (Klor-oh-FLOR-oh-kar-buns). Ozone layer depletion may be a result of the use of CFCs, better known as CFC-134a and CFC-134b respectively. A thousandth of the density of Earth’s atmosphere may be found at the stratopause, the highest point in the stratosphere.

Mesosphere

 64 to 85 kilometres high (31 to 53 miles)

This stratum is mostly unknown to scientists. To put it another way, it’s simply more difficult. It’s impossible to fly an aircraft or a research balloon this high, and satellites are in orbit much higher. Meteors burn harmlessly in the mesosphere as they trudge into Earth, and we know this for a fact. At the very top of the frame, temperatures plummet to as low as -90 degrees Celsius (-130 degrees Fahrenheit), the coldest on the planet. The mesopause is the line at the top of the mesosphere, and it’s named after the mesosphere itself. Congratulations if you’ve ever made it that far! According to the United States Air Force, you now have the title of “astronaut.”

The Karman line is another name for the mesopause. A Hungarian-born scientist, Theodore von Kármán, was the inspiration for the name. Outer space was something he was trying to figure out. The bottom limit of A distance of around 80 kilometres (50 miles) was the altitude at which he placed it. Some government organisations in the United States have adopted it as the starting point for determining the boundaries of space. This imaginary line, according to some sources, should be set at a distance of 100 kilometres (62 miles).

An area of charged particles, known as the ionosphere, spans from the high stratosphere or low mesosphere to the exosphere. Ionospheres can reflect radio waves, making it possible for radio communications.

Thermosphere

85-600 km in the thermosphere (53 to 372 miles)

The thermosphere is the next layer above. It shields those on the surface from the sun’s damaging rays by absorbing their x-rays and ultraviolet radiation. Temperature fluctuations in the thermosphere are caused by the solar energy’s ups and downs. At the peak, it may reach a temperature of 1,980 oC (3,600 oF). The changing energy output of the sun also causes this layer’s thickness to expand and contract as it warms and cools. Auroras, those wonderful celestial light displays, are made possible by the thermosphere’s abundance of charged particles. The tropopause denotes the upper border of this layer.

Exosphere 

From 600 to 10,000 kilometres are considered the exosphere (372 to 6,200 miles)

The exosphere is the topmost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Exobase is the name given to the bottom limit of the exosphere. In the exosphere, there’s no definite end point. Instead, it goes away into the ether. As a result, air particles within that region of the atmosphere seldom even come into contact with one another. Only a few of the scarce air molecules are prevented from floating away by Earth’s gravity. Those kinds of air molecules, however minute, are carried away by the wind and vanish into thin air, never to be found again.

Conclusion

Taking everything into account, it can be stated that the layers of the atmosphere contribute different aspects in the development of the overall functioning of atmospheric components. In this aspect, the Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere and the Ionosphere play significant roles in the development of habitable atmosphere on the Earth.

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Define Exosphere.

Ans:From 600 to 10,000 kilometres are considered the exosphere (372 to 6,200 miles) The exosphere i...Read full

What is the Karman line?

Ans: The Karman line is another name for the mesopause. A Hungarian-born scientist, Theodore von KÃ...Read full

What is the Ozone layer?

Ans:Ozone, which is composed of three oxygen atoms, makes up the majority of the atmosphere’s...Read full

What are the layers in our atmosphere?

Ans:In the Earth’s atmosphere, each layer has its own unique characteristics. The troposphere...Read full