4.4 Earth's Atmosphere Flashcards
What are the gases that makeup Earth’s atmosphere?
Nitrogen (~78%), Oxygen (~21%), Argon (~0.93%), Water Vapor (~0-4%), CO2 (~0.04%)
Characteristics of the Earth’s Layers
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere (Three silly monkeys tickled elephants)
Thermosphere
temperature increases due to absorption of high energetic solar radiation, hottest place on earth
Mesosphere
temperature decreases because density decreases, leaving fewer molecules to absorb the sun, coldest place on earth
Stratosphere
temperature increases because the top layer of stratosphere is warmed by UV rays
Troposphere
temperature decreases as air get further from the warmth of the earth’s surface