OBJECTIVES

1. Identify the Layers of the

Atmosphere.
2. Arrange the layers of the
atmosphere from the Earth’s Surface
towards the outer space
3. Appreciate the role of the
atmosphere in supporting the role of life
on Earth.
 ACTIVITY: Arrange Me!
EXOSPHERE SPACE SHUTTLE
TROPOSPHERE METEORS (burns up)
WEATHER
MESOSPHERE
OZONE LAYER
THERMOSPHERE
SATELLITE
STRATOSPHERE AURORAS
Layers of the Atmosphere
 Layers of the Atmosphere
• The atmosphere is the layer of gases that
surrounds the planet and makes
conditions on Earth suitable for living
things.
• The basis for dividing the atmosphere is
the varying temperature between the
layers.
 Layers of the Atmosphere
• Earth’s atmosphere is divided into
several different atmospheric layers
extending from Earth’s surface
outward.
 Layers of the Atmosphere
• It is the layer closest to Earth’s
surface.
• The troposphere is where all the
weather occurs, because this layer
contains most of the water vapor.

• It is the layer we live in at 0-10 km

 Layers of the Atmosphere
• The stratosphere is located directly
above the troposphere.

• This is where the ozone layer is.

• 10-50 km above Earth.

• Jets fly here.
 Layers of the Atmosphere
• The layer between 50 km and 80 km
above the Earth’s surface is called
Mesosphere.
• Air in this layer is very thin and cold.
• Meteors or rock fragments burn up in
the mesosphere.
 Layers of the Atmosphere
• Thermosphere is between 80 km
and 110 km above the Earth.
• Space shuttle fly in this area.
• It is also where the auroras are
found.
 Layers of the Atmosphere
• The upper limit of our atmosphere is
the Exosphere
• This layer of the atmosphere merges
into space.
• Satellites are stationed in this area.
• 500 km to 1000 km from Earth
 Layers of the Atmosphere
Space
Exosphere (Satellites)
Thermosphere (Space shuttle)
Mesosphere (Meteors)
Stratosphere (Ozone Layer)
Troposphere (Weather, Life)
Earth’s Surface
 Atmospheric Gases
Nitrogen & Oxygen
• These are the two most common gases
found in the atmosphere.
• They can be found throughout all the
layers.
• Trace gases of CO2, water vapor and
ozone.
 Atmospheric Gases
Ozone
• Ozone is a form of oxygen
• It is only found in the stratosphere
 Atmospheric Gases
Water Vapor & Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• These are important gases for weather
conditions.
• They are found in the troposphere where
weather occurs.
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Differences in temperature are what
separate each layer in the
atmosphere from the one above
and/or below it.
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Altitude Temperature
In the troposphere:

• As altitude increases,
temperature decreases
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Altitude Temperature
In the stratosphere:

• The stratosphere is cold

except in its upper Ozone
Layer
region where ozone is
located.
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Altitude Temperature
In the Mesosphere:

• This is the COLDEST

layer in the atmosphere.
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Altitude Temperature
In the thermosphere:

• Even though the air is thin

in the thermosphere, it is
very HOT.
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Altitude Temperature
Beyond the thermosphere is
the exosphere which
leads into outer space
where it is very cold,
because there is little to
no atmosphere to
absorb the Sun’s heat
energy.
 Atmospheric Temperatures
Temperature Altitude

Outer Space
Exosphere
Thermosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Troposphere
Earth’s Surface
 Solar Energy
• Energy from the Sun is known as Solar
Energy.

• Solar energy is the driving energy source

for heating Earth, and circulation in Earth’s
atmosphere.
 Troposphere
• Air in this layer is constantly moving.
As a result , aircraft flying through the
troposphere may have a very bumpy
ride – what we know as turbulence.
 Stratosphere
• Jet aircraft fly in this layer because it
is very stable than the air in
troposphere.
• The ozone layer is found in the
stratosphere.
1. What is the correct order of Earth’s atmospheric
layers from bottom to top?
2. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone
layer?
3. In which layer do virtually all weather phenomena
take place?
4. What is meant by trace gases?
5. In which atmospheric layer is most water vapour
found?
6. What is the most abundant element on Earth’s
atmosphere?
7. What is the basis for the division of the layers of the
atmosphere surrounding Earth?
8-10. Why is the ozone above the troposphere important
for the survival of living things on Earth?
 ASSIGNMENT
• Search what is IONOSPHERE and
explain if this is a part of the
Layers of The Atmosphere
• What is the connection between
Solar Energy and The
Atmosphere?