Layers of the atmosphere

  • The atmosphere is crucial for life, providing oxygen and protecting us from solar radiation.
  • It is composed mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%).
  • The five layers of the atmosphere are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
  • The atmosphere has changed over millions of years, going from reducing to oxidizing.
Germán Portillo

11 minutes

Atmosphere

Source: https://bibliotecadeinvestigaciones.wordpress.com/ciencias-de-la-tierra/las-capas-de-la-atmosfera-y-su-contaminacion/

As we saw in a previous post, planet Earth has many layers, both internal and external, and is composed of four subsystems. The Earth's layers were found within the geosphere subsystem. Then there's the biosphere , the area of ​​Earth where life develops. The hydrosphere is the part of Earth where water exists. That leaves us with the other subsystem of the planet: the atmosphere. What are the layers of the atmosphere? Let's find out.

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth and has several functions . Among these functions is providing the amount of oxygen necessary for life. Another vital function of the atmosphere for living beings is protecting us from the sun's rays and external agents from space, such as smaller meteorites or asteroids.

Composition of the atmosphere

The atmosphere is composed of various gases in different concentrations. It is mostly composed of nitrogen (78%), but this nitrogen is neutral; that is, we breathe it but do not metabolize or use it for anything. What we do use to live is oxygen, which makes up 21% . All living things on the planet, except for anaerobic organisms, need oxygen to live. Finally, the atmosphere has a very low concentration (1%) of other gases such as water vapor, argon, and carbon dioxide.

As we saw in the article on atmospheric pressure , air has weight, and therefore there is more air in the lower layers of the atmosphere because the air above pushes down on the air below, which is denser at the surface. This is why 75% of the total mass of the atmosphere is found between the Earth's surface and the first 11 kilometers in altitude. As we increase in altitude, the atmosphere becomes less dense and thinner; however, there are no clear lines marking the different layers of the atmosphere, but rather the composition and conditions change. The Kármán line , at about 100 km altitude, is considered the end of the Earth's atmosphere and the beginning of outer space.

What are the layers of the atmosphere?

As we mentioned earlier, as we ascend, we encounter the different layers of the atmosphere. Each layer has its own composition, density, and function. The atmosphere has five layers: the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

Layers of the atmosphere: Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere

The layers of the atmosphere. Source: http://pulidosanchezbiotech.blogspot.com.es/p/el-reino-monera-se-caracteriza-por.html Troposphere and meteorological phenomena

Weather phenomena occur in the troposphere where we live. Source: http://pulidosanchezbiotech.blogspot.com.es/p/el-reino-monera-se-caracteriza-por.html Ozone layer

Source: http://pulidosanchezbiotech.blogspot.com.es/p/el-reino-monera-se-caracteriza-por.html Mesosphere stops meteorites

Source: http://pulidosanchezbiotech.blogspot.com.es/p/el-reino-monera-se-caracteriza-por.html Exosphere and stardust

Large amounts of stardust exist in the exosphereMethanogens

Methanogens ruled the Earth when the composition of the atmosphere was anoxic. Source: http://pulidosanchezbiotech.blogspot.com.es/p/el-reino-monera-se-caracteriza-por.htmlPrimitive atmosphere composed of methane

Primitive atmosphere composed of methane. Source: http://pulidosanchezbiotech.blogspot.com/es/p/el-reino-monera-se-caracteriza-por.html


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