The Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the atmosphere?
It’s a thin layer of gases that surround the Earth.
What is the atmosphere made up out of?
78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases (including argon and carbon dioxide)
What does the atmosphere do?
It insulates the Earth from extreme temperatures. It traps heat and it also protects the Earth from the sun’s dangerous rays.
How long is the atmosphere?
480 km, but most of it is within 16km of the Earth’s surface.
Does the atmosphere end?
It doesn’t end, it just gets thinner until it merges with outer space.
What are the layers of atmosphere?
The troposphere and stratosphere
What is the troposphere?
It’s the lowest layer in the atmosphere. It reaches from ground or water level up to about 17 km. Weather and clouds occur in it. The temperature generally decreases as the altitude increases.
What is altitude?
Height above sea level
What is the stratosphere?
It’s the next layer in the atmosphere. It extends from 17 km to 50 km from the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer is located here.
