Atmosphere

Geography
Contents
• Composition of atmosphere
• Structure of atmosphere
• Green house effect
• Global warming
• Ozone depletion
Atmosphere
• The envelope of air which surrounds the earth is called the
Atmosphere.
• The Atmosphere is held to the earth due to gravity
• Density of air decreases with increase in height
• It is estimated that the upper limit of the atmosphere is at a
height of about 1,600 kilometres from the mean sea level
Composition
The atmosphere is a mixture of colourless, odourless and tasteless
gases.
The composition of air is not uniform
•The atmosphere is composed of gases, water vapour, dust
particles and smoke.
• The gases include nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, neon,
ozone, hydrogen, helium and methane.
Of these gases, nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) are the two main
gases . The other gases are found in very small quantities (1%)
Composition
Structure
• The atmosphere has a layered structure.
• On the basis of composition, density and temperature, the
atmosphere can be divided into five layers :-
• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere
• Exosphere
Troposphere

• The troposphere -the lowest and closest layer to the earth's surface.
• Extends from the mean sea level :-
i) 8 Kilometres over the poles
ii) 18 Kilometres over the equator
• Temperature decreases with increase in height . It falls at the rate of
1°C for every 165 metres of ascent
• Water vapour and dust particles are found only in this layer. Thus,
troposphere is the home of clouds, lightning and other weather
phenomena
Stratosphere

• Extends - 50 kilometres from the mean sea level.

• Free from all types of weather phenomena and the movement
of air is generally horizontal
• Jet planes fly in this layer
• Temperature increases with increase in altitude
• The lower part of the stratosphere has concentration of ozone
which protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of
the sun
Mesosphere

• Extends-50 kilometres to about 80 kilometres above the

mean sea level.
• Temperature decreases with increase in height and reaches to
about -100°C at about 80 kilometres
• Is the coldest layer.
• Meteors, which come from outer space, burn up in this layer.
Thermosphere

• Extends - 80 kilometres to about 400 kilometres above the

mean sea level.
• Temperature increases with increase in height and reaches up
to 1,500°C.
• Lower part of the thermosphere - ionosphere -as it has ionized
molecules
• Reflects low frequency radio waves back to the earth and thus
helps in long distance communication
Exosphere
• The uppermost layer.
• Gradually merges into the outer space.
• Very light gases, like hydrogen and helium, are found here.
• The temperature increases with height and may reach about
4,500°C.
Home Assignment
• Draw diagram –
1. Composition of Atmosphere
2. Structure of atmosphere
• Give Reasons for the following statements
1. The troposphere is thickest at the equator, and much
thinner at the North and South Poles.
2. Jet planes fly in Stratosphere
3. Most of the time meteors do not hit the earth’s surface.
Video- Layers of Earth
Importance
• The lower layer of the atmosphere has
oxygen which is essential for breathing.
• Protects from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• Softens the sun’s glare during the day.
• Keeps the earth’s surface warm even during the night.
• Helps in the change of weather.
• It helps to transmit sound waves