Earth If the Atmosphere Ceases

What is meant by the atmosphere of earth?

When discussing the atmosphere definition science, the atmosphere is referred to as air, which is the thin band layer of gases retained by the gravitational force surrounding the planet. By mole fraction, the atmosphere composition consists of a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen (78.08%) and oxygen (20.95%). Other gases present in the atmosphere include argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.04%), methane (0.0002%), etc. apart from gases, the atmosphere of the earth also comprises water vapour, on average around 1% at sea level, and 0.4% over the entire air. 

What are the different layers of the atmosphere?

When talking about different layers of the atmosphere composition, there are five primary and several secondary layers. In ascending order, the primary five layers of the earth’s atmosphere are troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

• Troposphere: 

From the earth’s surface, the troposphere layer extends to, on average, about 12 kilometres in height. The height of the troposphere is lower at the poles of the earth and higher at the equator. It is the primary layer of the earth’s atmosphere holding all the air organisms need to breathe and plants need for photosynthesis. In addition to this, the troposphere also consists of 99% of all water vapour and aerosols. Now that most of the heat found in this particular layer of atmosphere is generated by the transfer of energy from the earth’s surface, the temperature typically falls when going higher. 

• Stratosphere: 

The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere composition and is located between approximately 12 and 50 kilometres above the earth’s surface. This particular layer is home to the earth’s ozone layer, which effectively protects the earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the Sun. The higher up one goes to the stratosphere, the more the temperature increases and the warmer the surrounding gets. This layer in the atmosphere is nearly cloud-and-weather-free. In addition to this, this layer is considered the highest part of the atmosphere that jet planes can reach. 

• Mesosphere: 

Located between 50 and 8- kilometres above the surface of the earth, the average temperature in the mesosphere is around minus 85 degrees Celsius. With this temperature, it can be said that this particular layer gets progressively colder with the altitude. In fact, the top of the mesosphere is found to be the coldest place in the entire system of the planet earth. The very scarce water vapours that are present at the top of the mesosphere are responsible for forming the noctilucent clouds. These are the highest formed clouds in the atmosphere composition, which an individual can see with naked eyes only under specific conditions and times of the day. 

• Thermosphere: 

The thermosphere is present above the mesosphere and is located between approximately 80 and 700 kilometres above the earth’s surface. It is the lower part of the thermosphere that contains the ionosphere. Due to the very low density of molecules found in this layer, the temperature in the thermosphere increases with altitude. As a result, there are no clouds and water vapours present in this layer of the atmosphere. Sometimes, scientists can see aurora borealis and aurora australis in this layer. 

• Exosphere: 

Present above the thermosphere and located between 700 kilometres and 10,000 kilometres above the surface of the earth, the exosphere is the highest layer of the earth’s atmosphere. The tops of this layer merge with the solar wind. The molecules present in the exosphere are deficient in density. Therefore, it can be said that this particular layer does not behave like a gas, and particles found in this layer escape into space. Although there is no weather in this layer, the aurora borealis and aurora australis can be sometimes seen by scientists in the lowest part of the exosphere. Most satellites of earth revolve around this layer.

What happens to the earth if the atmosphere ceases?

Now that atmosphere acts like the blanket of gases surrounding the planet earth if it ceases, then earth will not be able to procure the following mentioned features:

• Oxygen, an essential gas for the survival of all living organisms, is found in the atmosphere.
• Water, apart from oxygen, the atmosphere also consists of other gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc., that plants and animals require for different life processes.
• Carbon dioxide is a vital gas used by plants to complete the process of photosynthesis.
• The ozone layer, found in the stratosphere, protects the earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the Sun.

It can be concluded that there will be no life on the planet earth without an atmosphere.

Conclusion

According to the atmosphere definition science, the atmosphere is considered a thin band layer consisting of different gases and water vapours. There are five main layers and multiple secondary layers forming the atmosphere composition- troposphere, stratosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, and exosphere. The atmosphere acts as the blanket for the earth’s surface which protects the earth from harmful UV rays, controls and maintains the appropriate temperature, and provides access to the gases important for the survival of all species. Without atmosphere no species can survive on the planet earth.