8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
4 min read•june 12, 2024
Earth's atmosphere is a complex system of layers and gases that protect and sustain life. From the where we live to the at the edge of space, each layer has unique properties and functions. Understanding these layers helps us grasp patterns and dynamics.
The atmosphere's composition is crucial for life, with nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases playing vital roles. Weather and climate, while related, operate on different timescales. Weather is short-term and variable, while climate represents long-term averages, both impacting Earth's systems and human activities.
Earth's Atmospheric Layers and Composition
Layers of Earth's atmosphere
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- Lowest layer extends from Earth's surface to an average height of 12 km (7.5 miles)
- Contains approximately 75% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its
- Temperature decreases with altitude at a rate of about 6.5°C per kilometer (3.6°F per 1,000 feet)
- decreases with altitude in this layer
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- Extends from the top of the troposphere to an altitude of about 50 km (31 miles)
- Contains the which absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) from the Sun
- Temperature increases with altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by
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- Extends from the top of the to an altitude of about 85 km (53 miles)
- Temperature decreases with altitude reaching as low as -90°C (-130°F) at the mesopause
- , the highest clouds in Earth's atmosphere, form in this layer
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- Extends from the top of the mesosphere to an altitude of about 600 km (373 miles)
- Temperature increases with altitude and can reach up to 2,000°C (3,632°F) due to absorption of intense solar radiation
- International Space Station orbits in this layer at an altitude of about 400 km (250 miles)
- Exosphere
- Extends from the top of the thermosphere to an altitude of about 10,000 km (6,200 miles)
- Extremely low density with particles rarely colliding
- Hydrogen and helium are the main components at this altitude
Composition of Earth's atmosphere
- Nitrogen (): 78.08% by volume, essential for life as it is a key component of amino acids and proteins
- Oxygen (): 20.95% by volume, necessary for respiration in many life forms and important for combustion
- Argon (Ar): 0.93% by volume, a noble gas that is chemically inert and does not participate in biological processes
- (): 0.04% by volume, a that traps heat and plays a crucial role in Earth's
- Atmospheric levels have increased from about 280 ppm (parts per million) before the to over 400 ppm today due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation
- Water vapor (): 0-4% by volume, the most abundant greenhouse gas and plays a key role in the through evaporation, condensation, and
- is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air
- Trace gases: Include neon (Ne), helium (He), (), krypton (Kr), and xenon (Xe), which together make up less than 0.1% of the atmosphere by volume
Weather vs climate
- Weather
- Refers to the day-to-day state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure
- Highly variable and can change rapidly over short time scales (hours to days)
- Influenced by local factors such as topography, proximity to water bodies, and urban heat islands
- Examples: A thunderstorm, a heat wave, or a cold front
- Climate
- Represents the average weather conditions in a given area over a long period, typically 30 years or more
- Determined by factors such as latitude, altitude, proximity to large water bodies, ocean currents, and prevailing wind patterns
- Remains relatively stable over long time scales but can change gradually due to natural factors () or human influences (greenhouse gas emissions)
- Examples: Tropical rainforest climate, Mediterranean climate, or tundra climate
- Impact on Earth's systems
- Biosphere: Weather and climate patterns determine the distribution and diversity of ecosystems and species across the planet ()
- Hydrosphere: The water cycle is driven by weather and climate through processes like evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation
- Geosphere: Weathering and erosion rates are influenced by temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns, shaping Earth's landscape over time
- Human society: Weather and climate affect agriculture, energy production and consumption, transportation, and human health and well-being (heat waves, natural disasters)
Atmospheric Energy Transfer and Weather Patterns
- : The transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, such as air or water
- Plays a crucial role in the formation of thunderstorms and other weather phenomena
- Radiation: The transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves
- Solar radiation is the primary source of energy for Earth's atmospheric processes
- Air masses: Large bodies of air with similar temperature and humidity characteristics
- Influence weather patterns as they move across regions
- Jet streams: Fast-flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmosphere
- Play a significant role in guiding weather systems and influencing climate patterns
Key Terms to Review (31)
Air Mass: An air mass is a large body of air that has relatively uniform temperature, humidity, and pressure characteristics. Air masses play a crucial role in the Earth's atmosphere by influencing weather patterns and climate conditions.
Atmospheric Pressure: Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the Earth's atmosphere on the surface below. It is a crucial factor in understanding the behavior and characteristics of planetary atmospheres, including those of Earth and Venus.
Bar: A bar is a unit of pressure defined as 100,000 pascals. It is commonly used in atmospheric science to measure atmospheric pressure.
Biomes: Biomes are large, distinct ecosystems characterized by their climate, vegetation, and animal life. They are the largest recognizable ecological communities on the planet, shaped by the interactions between the physical environment and the living organisms that inhabit it.
Carbon Cycle: The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of carbon through the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. It is an essential process that sustains life on our planet by regulating the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which in turn influences global climate and temperature patterns.
Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas that is present in the atmosphere and is essential for many important processes on Earth, including photosynthesis, respiration, and the greenhouse effect. It is a key component in the carbon cycle and plays a crucial role in the atmospheric composition and climate of various planets in our solar system.
Climate: Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular region, typically assessed over decades. It encompasses factors such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, and precipitation.
Convection: Convection is the process of heat transfer through the movement of fluid (liquid or gas) caused by molecular motion. It plays a critical role in various natural phenomena, including the dynamics of Earth's crust and the energy transport within the Sun.
Convection: Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid, such as air or water. It is a fundamental process that drives many important phenomena in Earth's crust, atmosphere, and the atmospheres of the giant planets.
Earth’s atmosphere: Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet, held in place by gravity. It protects life on Earth by blocking harmful solar radiation and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.
Exosphere: The exosphere is the outermost layer of a planet's atmosphere, where atoms and molecules escape into space. It is the transition zone between the atmosphere and the vacuum of space, and it plays a crucial role in the atmospheric and planetary dynamics of Earth, the Moon, and Mercury.
Greenhouse Gas: A greenhouse gas is a gas in the Earth's atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiant energy, trapping heat and warming the planet. These gases play a crucial role in the greenhouse effect, which is the process that regulates the Earth's temperature and makes it habitable for life.
Humidity: Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. It is a measure of the moisture content in the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in various atmospheric processes, including weather patterns and climate.
Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid technological, economic, and social change that transformed human society in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It marked a shift from an agrarian and handicraft-based economy to one dominated by industry, machinery, and factories.
Jet Stream: A jet stream is a narrow, fast-moving current of air that flows high in the Earth's atmosphere, typically at an altitude between 7-12 kilometers. These winds play a crucial role in the global circulation patterns that shape the Earth's weather and climate.
Mesosphere: The mesosphere is the layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It is characterized by a temperature decrease with increasing altitude, which is the opposite of the temperature profile in the stratosphere.
Methane: Methane is a colorless, odorless, and flammable gas that is the simplest alkane hydrocarbon. It is a major component of natural gas and is also produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, making it an important player in the context of Earth's atmosphere, the exploration of other planets, and the spectra of celestial bodies.
Milankovitch Cycles: Milankovitch cycles are the collective variations in the Earth's orbit and tilt that influence long-term climate patterns. These cyclical changes in the planet's position relative to the Sun are a key driver of the ice age cycles observed throughout Earth's history.
Noctilucent Clouds: Noctilucent clouds are a rare and mysterious type of high-altitude cloud that appear in the upper mesosphere, typically at an altitude of around 80-85 kilometers. These clouds are composed of ice crystals and are only visible during the summer months, usually around twilight hours.
Ozone: Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms (O3). It plays a crucial role in absorbing and scattering ultraviolet radiation from the Sun in Earth's atmosphere.
Ozone Layer: The ozone layer is a region in the Earth's upper atmosphere, the stratosphere, that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. This layer plays a crucial role in absorbing and filtering out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth from its damaging effects.
Precipitation: Precipitation refers to the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere condenses and falls to the Earth's surface in the form of various types of precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This process is a crucial component of the global water cycle and plays a vital role in replenishing freshwater resources on our planet.
Radiation: Radiation refers to the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or a medium. It is a fundamental concept in the study of astronomy and plays a crucial role in the understanding of Earth's atmosphere and its interactions with the environment.
Stratosphere: The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. It extends from about 10 to 50 kilometers (6 to 31 miles) above Earth's surface.
Stratosphere: The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, situated above the troposphere and extending from an altitude of approximately 6-20 kilometers (4-12 miles) above the Earth's surface. This layer is characterized by an increase in temperature with increasing altitude, which is caused by the absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the sun by the ozone layer.
Thermosphere: The thermosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere that is characterized by an increase in temperature with increasing altitude. This layer is located above the mesosphere and below the exosphere, and it plays a crucial role in the overall structure and dynamics of the atmosphere.
Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending up to about 8-15 kilometers (5-9 miles) above sea level. It contains approximately 75% of the atmosphere's mass and nearly all weather phenomena occur here.
Troposphere: The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to an altitude of about 6-20 kilometers, depending on latitude. This layer is characterized by decreasing temperature with increasing altitude and contains most of the planet's weather phenomena.
Water Cycle: The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It describes the continuous circulation of water within the Earth's biosphere, involving the exchange of water between the Earth's surface and its atmosphere.
Water Vapor: Water vapor is the gaseous form of water, present in the atmosphere of various planets and moons in our solar system. It is a crucial component that plays a significant role in the atmospheric dynamics and climate of these celestial bodies.
Weather: Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a specific place and time, including temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation. It is influenced by Earth's atmospheric conditions and can change rapidly.