Layers of the Atmosphere Notes

Scientists divide Earth’s atmosphere into four main layers classified according to changes in temperature.

These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere.

Troposphere•“tropo” means turning or changing•Layer where weather occurs, planes fly, and mountains are•Most dense layer•As altitude increases, temperature decreases

Troposphere•Shallowest layer•Varies from 16km above the equator to less than 9km above the N & S poles•Top of troposphere = -60 C/-76 F

Stratosphere•“strato” means layer or spread out•Contains the ozone layer•Upper stratosphere is warmer than lower stratosphere•Ozone layer absorbs sun’s energy, which is converted into heat, warming the air above it

Mesosphere•“meso” means middle•Outer mesosphere is -90 C/-130 F•Layer that protects Earth’s surface from being hit by meteoroids

Thermosphere•“thermo” means heat•Very thin air: 0.001% as dense as the air at sea level•Very hot: 1800 C/3272 F•Thickest layer

Ionosphere•“iono” means ions or charged particles•Ions form in this layer•Radio waves bounce off ions and back to Earth’s surface•Northern lights occur in this layer – particles from sun strike atoms making them glow

Exosphere•“exo” means outer•Extends out for thousands of kilometers•Space shuttles and satellites orbit here

BrainPop on Layers of the Atmosphere

Come up with a mnemonic device to help you remember the layers of the atmosphere.

TSMTIE