Earth’s atmosphere is a vital component that protects and sustains life on our planet. It is composed of five different layers, each with unique properties and characteristics. The ozone layer found in the stratosphere shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. However, the ozone layer has been severely impacted by human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which led to its depletion. An international treaty, the Montreal Protocol, has been passed to phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals, and the ozone layer is slowly recovering. It is crucial to protect and preserve our atmosphere to sustain life on Earth.
Exploring Earth’s Atmosphere: A Fascinating Journey
Earth’s atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surround our planet. It sustains life on Earth by controlling the temperature, filtering out harmful radiation, and providing oxygen to breathe. Our atmosphere is composed of several layers, each with its unique characteristics.
In this article, we will embark on a journey to explore Earth’s atmosphere and learn about its wonders.
Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere is divided into five layers, namely:
1. Troposphere
2. Stratosphere
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere
Each of these layers has distinctive properties that make them unique. Let’s have a brief overview of each layer.
1. Troposphere: This layer is the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere which extends up to about 10 kilometers from the Earth’s surface. It is where all weather phenomena occur, and the air gets colder as the altitude increases. The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is only about 8 kilometers high from sea level. Hence troposphere is mainly where airliners fly.
2. Stratosphere: Above the troposphere, the stratosphere extends up to about 50 kilometers from the Earth’s surface. This is where you will find the ozone layer that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Also, commercial jet planes can fly very high in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence in the troposphere.
3. Mesosphere: The mesosphere extends upwards from the stratosphere to about 80 kilometers above sea level. It is the coldest layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, and meteors usually burn up here.
4. Thermosphere: The thermosphere extends from the mesosphere to an altitude of about 600 kilometers. It is where the Northern Lights or Aurora borealis occurs.
5. Exosphere: The exosphere is the outermost layer in the Earth’s atmosphere. It extends up to 10,000 kilometers from the Earth’s surface and merge with outer space.
Temperature and Pressure in the Atmosphere
The temperature and pressure in the Earth’s atmosphere vary depending on the layer. In the troposphere, the temperature decreases as the altitude increases. However, in the stratosphere, the temperature increases as you move upwards due to the presence of ozone.
Pressure decreases with altitude as the Earth’s gravity pulls down all the atmospheric gases towards the ground. For instance, the air pressure at the top of Mount Everest is only about one-third of the air pressure at sea level.
The ozone Layer and Its Importance
The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere and shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The ozone layer has been severely impacted by the use of human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which resulted in ozone depletion. This has led to the formation of the ozone hole over Antarctica.
To mitigate this, the international community has passed the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals. Following this agreement and others, the ozone layer is slowly recovering, but it is still vulnerable, and more efforts are needed to preserve it.
FAQs
Q: What is the atmosphere of Earth made of?
A: The Earth’s atmosphere is mainly composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, with small amounts of other gases.
Q: Can we breathe in space?
A: No, we cannot breathe in space as there is no atmosphere to provide oxygen.
Q: What is the main function of the ozone layer?
A: The main function of the ozone layer is to protect the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Q: How thick is the Earth’s atmosphere?
A: The Earth’s atmosphere is approximately 480 kilometers thick.
Q: Can humans survive outside the Earth’s atmosphere?
A: No, humans cannot survive outside the Earth’s atmosphere without the proper protective gear and life support systems.
In Conclusion
Exploring Earth’s atmosphere is a fascinating journey that showcases the wonders of our planet. From the ozone layer to the different layers of the atmosphere, we can learn many things about our environment. However, it is essential to preserve and protect our atmosphere as it is crucial to sustain life on Earth.
