Do NowDo Now1. Put the layers of the atmosphere in order:

(stratosphere, thermosphere, troposphere, mesosphere).

2. In which layer do we live?

3. In which layer is the ozone layer found?

4. Which layer is in the middle (how can we remember this?)

5. What happens to air pressure the higher you go up?

Layers of the AtmosphereLayers of the AtmosphereCompare the composition and Compare the composition and

structure of Earth’s atmospheric structure of Earth’s atmospheric layers (including the gases and layers (including the gases and differences in temperature and differences in temperature and

pressure within the layers). pressure within the layers).

Layers of the AtmosphereLayers of the Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the planet and makes conditions on Earth suitable for living things.

1. Troposphere1. Troposphere• The troposphere is where all

the weather occurs.

• It is the closest layer to Earth’s surface.

• It is the layer we live in.

• Higher altitude = colder temps.

2. Stratosphere2. Stratosphere

• The stratosphere is located directly above the troposphere.

• This is where the ozone layer is.

• Ozone is 3

oxygen molecules

(formula = O3)

• Higher altitude =

hotter temps.

3. Mesosphere3. Mesosphere

• The mesosphere is located directly above the stratosphere.

• This is where meteors and comets are destroyed.

• COLDEST LAYER (higher altitude =

colder temps.)

• Hottest layer of the atmosphere!

• Where the Northern Lights are located.

4. Thermosphere4. Thermosphere

Atmospheric GasesAtmospheric Gases

Nitrogen & Oxygen

• These are the two most common gases found in the atmosphere.

• They can be found throughout all the layers.

• Nitrogen: 78%

• Oxygen: 21%

• Other: 1%

Atmospheric GasesAtmospheric GasesOzone

• Ozone is a form of oxygen

• It is only found in the stratosphere

• Ozone is a gas formed by the addition of a third oxygen atom to an oxygen molecule. It is important in the upper atmosphere because it absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Without an ozone layer, our skin could not tolerate exposure to the Sun.

Atmospheric GasesAtmospheric Gases

Water Vapor & Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• These are important gases for weather conditions.

• They are found in the troposphere where weather occurs.

Atmospheric TemperaturesAtmospheric Temperatures

Differences in temperature are what separate each layer in the atmosphere from the one above and/or below it.

Example: the troposphere is a different temperature than the stratosphere

Atmospheric TemperaturesAtmospheric Temperatures

Outer Space

Exosphere

Thermosphere

Mesosphere

Stratosphere

Troposphere

Earth’s Surface

Temperature Altitude

Atmospheric PressureAtmospheric Pressure

• Air pressure is how much force gases place on an object

• Air pressure is greatest near the surface of the Earth in the troposphere because of gravity

Altitude Air Pressure

PausePause• What is the Tropopause?

– The upper limit of the troposphere

• What is the Stratopause?– The upper limit of the stratosphere

• What is the Mesopause?

• What is the Thermopause?

Atmospheric TemperaturesAtmospheric Temperatures

In the troposphere:

• As altitude increases, temperature decreases

• *** remember, increase means go UP, and decrease means go DOWN!

Temperature Altitude

Atmospheric TemperaturesAtmospheric Temperatures

In the stratosphere:

• The stratosphere is cold except in its upper region where ozone is located.

Temperature Altitude

Ozone Layer

Atmospheric TemperaturesAtmospheric Temperatures

In the Mesosphere:

• This is the COLDEST layer in the atmosphere.

Temperature Altitude

Atmospheric TemperaturesAtmospheric Temperatures

In the thermosphere:

• Even though the air is thin in the thermosphere, it is very HOT.

Temperature Altitude

2 Activity Choices (CHOOSE 1)2 Activity Choices (CHOOSE 1)• Write a “Thank you” note to the layers of

the atmosphere thanking each layer for what it does for us– Thank each layer for what they do for us (lets

us breathe, protects us from skin cancer, burns up comets, gives us light shows, etc.)

– 1 full page long – BE CREATIVE

• Create a 15 question practice quiz and answer key to help a classmate study