The Atmosphere (composition and layer of the Atmosphere)

Introduction

Did you know that the Earth’s atmosphere is made up of gases? These gases help to make our planet hospitable for life. The composition and layer of the Atmosphere have changed over time, and it continues to change today. In this article, we will discuss the gases in the atmosphere today, as well as the effects of carbon dioxide and its composition in the atmosphere today. We will also take a look at how much oxygen is in the atmosphere!

What is the atmosphere?

The atmosphere is a envelope of gases that surrounds the earth. It is a mixture of gases mostly made up of nitrogen and oxygen.

It also contains gases like carbon dioxide, argon, methane and other gases.

The gases present in the atmosphere have a significant influence on the earth’s weather conditions. It is important to know that gases in the atmosphere are not evenly distributed. It varies from place to place and from time to time depending on seasonal changes, weather patterns and other factors.

Layers of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere can be divided into five layers based on their physical properties:

Troposphere

The troposphere is the lowermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It contains about 80% of the total mass of gases in the atmosphere. Gases here are closer to the Earth’s surface. This layer includes the weather we experience every day. The ozone layer is in this layer and it protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It starts where the troposphere ends and reaches up to about 50 km above sea level. A layer of ozone is found in this region, which blocks most ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can damage life forms on Earth.

Mesosphere

The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. This layer starts where the stratosphere ends and reaches up to about 85 km above sea level. This layer is the coldest part of the atmosphere, and gases here have temperatures as low as -90°C.

Thermosphere

The thermosphere is the fourth and uppermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. The gases are extremely thin here, making up less than one per cent of the gases in Earth’s atmosphere. The gases here are ionized by solar radiation and the temperature can reach as high as 1500°C.

Exosphere

exosphere is the outermost layer of gases in Earth’s atmosphere. The gases here are extremely thin, and they gradually become less and less dense as you move further from Earth. The gases in this layer gradually mix with the gases of other planets in our solar system.

What are the gases in the atmosphere today?

Gases in the atmosphere today are composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The remaining gases are argon, carbon dioxide, helium, krypton, neon, methane, hydrogen and ozone. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, while oxygen is necessary for life on Earth.

There are many gases in the atmosphere, but some are more important than others. Carbon dioxide is a very important gas because it can have a warming effect on the planet. The gases are expressed as a percentage of gases in the atmosphere. For example, today the concentration of carbon dioxide is about 400 parts per million (ppm).

The gases that are in our atmosphere have a big impact on how much energy from the Sun is reflected back into space. A high concentration of gases will heat up our planet because gases like carbon dioxide and water vapour trap energy from the sun. These gases are called greenhouse gases.

The gases in the atmosphere have a layered structure. The gases closest to Earth are gases like oxygen, nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide that are heavier gases. The gases further away from Earth are gases like helium and hydrogen that are lighter gases.

How much oxygen is in the atmosphere?

There is about 21% oxygen in the atmosphere. This is necessary for life on Earth. If there was less oxygen in the atmosphere, then it would be difficult for animals and plants to survive.

The gases in the atmosphere are constantly changing. For example, when a volcano erupts, it releases gases into the atmosphere. Some gases have a positive effect on our atmosphere, other gases have an adverse effect on our atmosphere. For example, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. The effects of carbon dioxide and its composition in the atmosphere today can be harmful to our environment.

What is greenhouse effect on the atmosphere?

The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere. The Earth’s atmosphere contains several gases, including water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO), ozone (O), and methane (CH). These gases allow sunlight to reach the Earth’s surface, but they trap some of the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth. This trapped energy makes the Earth’s atmosphere warmer than it would be without gases.

The gases that cause the greenhouse effect are called greenhouse gases. The major natural gases contributing to the Earth’s greenhouse effect are water vapour, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane. The concentration of each gas determines how much heat it traps.

Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas, followed by carbon dioxide. The gases are present in varying concentrations above and below the Earth’s surface.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the atmosphere is a complex and fascinating layer of our planet. By understanding its components and how they interact, we can better understand our weather patterns and climate. Additionally, learning about the atmosphere can help us develop new technologies to improve our lives.